@article{fdi:010095500,
  title = {{G}iant clam gardens : cultural practices and ecological implications for population resilience in {N}ew {C}aledonia},
  author = {{D}umas, {P}ascal and {P}ortes, {C}. and {P}eignon, {C}hristophe},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{G}iant clams ({T}ridacninae) are a key component of coral reef ecosystems and a major economic, subsistence, and cultural resource for {P}acific {I}sland communities. {I}n {N}ew {C}aledonia where stocks are declining but giant clams retain an emblematic status, coastal communities have developed a traditional practice referred to as "giant clam gardens," involving the translocation and aggregation of wild individuals onto shallow reef flats near villages. {T}his study provides the first formal assessment of the prevalence, cultural significance, and potential ecological benefits of this practice. {S}urveys conducted in 11 coastal tribes documented over 40 clam aggregations primarily composed of {H}ippopus hippopus, which varied greatly in terms of age (1-40 years), area (1-1080 m2) and abundance (from a few individuals up to more than 2700). {O}ur findings suggest that the practice of "giant clam gardens" is now fairly widespread and primarily reflect a pragmatic approach aimed at optimizing resource access, rather than conserving the resource. {P}opulation surveys confirmed the presence of five giant clam species ({H}. hippopus, {T}ridacna maxima, {T}. squamosa, {T}. derasa and {T}. crocea), but failed to report significant recruitment in and around aggregations up to 1 km downstream from the study area. {T}his work revealed that while notions of protection and conservation were occasionally mentioned during interviews, they were not cited as primary motivations by communities. {N}onetheless, clam gardens may contribute to broader population resilience by enhancing reproductive biomass and supporting larval dispersal across larger spatial scales. {G}iven the declining state of natural stocks and the persistence of strong cultural ties to giant clam harvesting, this practice represents a pragmatic, culturally embedded approach that can provide valuable insights for strengthening the sustain-ability of this resource.},
  keywords = {{G}iant clams ; {C}ommunity-based ; {C}oral reefs ; {M}arine resources ; {P}acific ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {PACIFIQUE} {ILES}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{O}cean and {C}oastal {M}anagement},
  volume = {271},
  numero = {},
  pages = {107977 [8 p.]},
  ISSN = {0964-5691},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107977},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095500},
}