Recognition of co-existence pattern of salt marshes and mangroves for littoral forest restoration

Climate-change driven sea level rise causes a increase in salinity in coastal wetlands accelerating the alteration of the species composition. It triggers the gradual extinction of species, particularly the mangrove population which is intolerant of excessive salinity. Thus despite being crucial to a wide range of ecosystem services, mangroves have been identified as a vulnerable coastal biome. Hence restoration strategy of mangroves is undergoing rigorous research and experiments in literature at an interdisciplinary level. From a data-driven perspective, analysis of mangrove occurrence data could be the key to comprehend and predict mangrove behavior along different environmental parameters, and it could be important in formulating management strategy for mangrove rehabilitation and restoration. As salt marshes are the natural salt-accumulating halophytes, mitigating excessive salinity could be achieved by incorporating salt-marshes in mangrove restoration activities. This study intends to find a novel restoration strategy by assessing the frequent co-existence status of salt marshes, with the mangroves, and mangrove associates in different zones of degraded mangrove patches for species-rich plantation. To achieve this, we primarily design a novel methodological framework for the practice of knowledge discovery concerning the coexistence pattern of salt marshes, mangroves, and mangrove associates along with environmental parameters using a data mining paradigm of association rule mining. The proposed approach has the capability to uncover underlying facts and forecast likely facts that could automate the study in the field of ecological research to comprehend the occurrence of inter-species relationships. Our findings are based on published data gathered on the Sundarban Mangrove Forest, one of the world’s most important littoral forests. The existing literature reinforces the findings that include all the sets of frequently co-occurring mangroves, their associates, and salt marshes along the salinity gradient of coastal Sundarbans. A detailed understanding of the occurrence patterns of all these, along with the environmental variables, would be able to promote decision-making strategy. This framework is effective for both academia and stakeholders, especially the foresters/ conservation planners, to regulate the spread of salt marshes and the restoration of mangroves as well.     

红树林湿地恢复研究进展

红树林是生长在热带、亚热带隐蔽潮间带的独特植物群落,在过去几十年内因人口压力和经济发展而遭到严重破坏,质量下降,面积萎缩.近年来,尽管世界各地采取了一系列措施进行红树林的恢复,然而由于缺乏造林技术资料、造林成活率低下、经营管理粗放,加上人为干扰和自然灾害的影响,红树林面积增长缓慢;造林成活率低依然是制约红树林湿地恢复的主要因素.总结了近年来国内外红树林湿地恢复四个方面的研究成果,即(1)宜林地选择,包括温度、底质、水文的环境条件研究;(2)树种选择与引种,包括乡土树种的选用和外来树种的引种状况;(3)栽培技术的应用,包括造林栽培技术与育苗技术,造林成本的比较;(4)植后管护及监测,包括幼林巡护、病虫害防治、生态监测,结合野外调查的结果,综述了红树林恢复的一些基本原理与应用实例.根据我国红树林湿地恢复的现状,提出今后红树林恢复研究的重点为:开展"退塘还林"工程,监测红树林湿地生态系统生物多样性的恢复,深入探讨红树林的化感作用,营造红树林混交林,实现红树林的生态恢复.     

Ecological engineering for successful management and restoration of mangrove forests

Great potential exists to reverse the loss of mangrove forests worldwide through the application of basic principles of ecological restoration using ecological engineering approaches, including careful cost evaluations prior to design and construction. Previous documented attempts to restore mangroves, where successful, have largely concentrated on creation of plantations of mangroves consisting of just a few species, and targeted for harvesting as wood products, or temporarily used to collect eroded soil and raise intertidal areas to usable terrestrial agricultural uses. I document here the importance of assessing the existing hydrology of natural extant mangrove ecosystems, and applying this knowledge to first protect existing mangroves, and second to achieve successful and cost-effective ecological restoration, if needed. Previous research has documented the general principle that mangrove forests worldwide exist largely in a raised and sloped platform above mean sea level, and inundated at approximately 30%, or less of the time by tidal waters. More frequent flooding causes stress and death of these tree species. Prevention of such damage requires application of the same understanding of mangrove hydrology.     

沿海养殖池塘对红树林生态系统影响的时空变化监测与分析

随着沿海人类活动的日益加剧,其对红树林生态系统健康和可持续发展的影响也逐渐凸显,实现红树林周边典型人类活动时空动态变化监测对红树林生态系统的保护与修复意义重大。该研究基于Landsat多时相遥感数据和GoogleEarth Engine平台,通过面向对象的机器学习方法,融入水体季节波动信息作为分类特征,获取了1990、2000、2010和2020年4个不同时期中国沿海红树林分布省区(包括广东、福建、浙江、台湾、广西及海南) 30 m分辨率的养殖池塘空间格局及其变化特征,并进一步解析养殖池塘对红树林生态系统的影响。研究结果表明:(1)研究区域内4个时间节点的沿海养殖池塘面积总量分别为2 963、5 200、5 377及4 805 km²,呈先增加后减少的趋势,于2010–2020年间达到峰值。沿海养殖池塘面积变化趋势和达峰时间存在明显区域差异性,其主要原因是红树林保护政策、养殖池塘规范管理和阶段性经济目标的区域差异化。(2)我国沿海养殖池塘集中分布在21°–24°N区域(广东和广西),与红树林沿纬度的分布格局呈错峰分布。其中,红树林与沿海养殖池塘集中分布区(21°–...     

红树林湿地在海岸生态系统维护中的功能*

综述了红树林湿地在海岸生态系统中所具有的维护生物多样性、防风消浪、促淤护岸、防灾减灾、净化海水、调节大气和美化海岸带景观等方面的功能。探讨了广东及华南沿海红树林的分布状况和存在问题,指出了华南沿海现存的红树林湿地正在遭受严重的威胁和破坏。华南沿海现存红树林湿地面积仅有1.5×10⁵hm²,比历史最大面积减少了70%;广东省的红树林湿地由10年前的1.47×10⁴hm²减少到现在的9100hm²,减少了38%。提出了建立和完善红树林自然保护网络系统、积极实施红树林湿地生态修复工程、注重红树林的引种和种苗培育技术研究、充分评估红树林湿地的巨大生态效价等对策与建议。     

粤东沿海红树林物种组成与群落特征

南海地区是全球红树林分布的中心区域之一。粤东沿海位于南海地区的北界,红树林物种组成和群落结构具有边缘性。利用卫星影像解译辅助技术,对筛选的23处红树林群落进行样地调查,记录了真红树植物12种,半红树植物6种,伴生植物7种。各群落平均高度为1.50—8.60 m,林相以灌丛、小乔木林为主。红树林群落Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为0.533—1.239,均匀度指数为0.662—0.957,天然林和人工林之间数值差异不显著。等级聚类分析将粤东沿海的红树林划分为演替早期人工林、演替早期天然林、演替中期天然林和演替后期天然林4个类别,各群落立地条件差异较大,沉积物总有机碳、盐度、总氮含量与群落分布状况的相关性较高。与1985年的报道相比,尽管该地区记录的红树林植物种类从20种增加至24种,但个别伴生植物消失以及半红树植物种群萎缩说明该地区红树林面临较大的环境压力。在物种多样性和均匀度均方面,粤东沿海红树林群落低于成熟红树林。过去数十年的围垦导致天然红树植物种群萎缩、生境破碎化是主要因素。基于该地区红树林群落的现状,未来人工林和残次天然林的优化改造是红树林恢复重建的重点,红树林恢复和保育的重点区域包括深圳湾的福田、范和港的蟹洲和韩江口的六合围。     

Oceanographic anomalies and sea‐level rise drive mangroves inland in the Pacific coast of Mexico

Question: Although mangrove forests are generally regarded as highly threatened, some studies have shown that mangrove canopies in the Pacific coast of Mexico have been increasing in recent decades. We investigated the possible causes driving this reported mangrove expansion. Location: The mangrove lagoons of Magdalena Bay in Baja California, Mexico. Methods: We used 50‐year‐old aerial photographs and 24‐year‐old satellite images to compare long‐term vegetation change, surveyed a coastal vegetation transect to analyse flooding levels, compiled six decades of tidal and oceanographic information, as well as hurricane data to analyse changes in storm frequency or sea‐level conditions, and used isotopic analysis to date the age of trees along the gradient. Results: A significant increase in mangrove cover has occurred in backwaters of the lagoons during the last 40 years, and especially during the El Niño anomalies of the 1980s and 1990s, while at the same time the mangrove fringe has been receding. Conclusions: The observed change can be attributed to the combined action of the warm surface waters of El Niño events and sea‐level rise. Jointly, these two effects are sufficient to flood large areas of previously non‐flooded salt flats, dispersing mangrove seedlings inland. The inland expansion of mangroves, however, does not ease conservation concerns, as it is the seaward fringes, and not the inland margins, that provide the most valuable environmental services for fisheries and coastal protection.     

中国红树植物种质资源现状与苗木繁育关键技术

红树植物种质与种苗生产是所有红树林生态恢复工程的基础.本文根据工程实践并结合已有研究资料,采用聚类分析等方法,对中国红树植物资源现状与苗木繁育关键技术进行初步分析.结果表明:中国红树群落可分为低温广布型、广布型、嗜热广布型和热带分布型4种类型;资源分布可划分为琼东沿海、北部湾沿海、珠江口至粤东沿海、闽南和台湾沿海、闽东至浙南沿海5个区域.其中,北部湾沿海红树林种质资源占全国的75.3％.目前中国红树植物苗木种类开发利用率为52.6％,以胎生红树植物为主.红树林苗木生产应注意繁育方法、种实采集与储存、育苗方式、水分和盐度选择、病虫害防治及越冬防寒措施6个技术环节.结合调查和生产实践,归纳分析了中国现有5种红树林苗圃类型(旱地设施苗圃、红树林滩涂苗圃、光滩苗圃、基围塘苗圃和米草滩涂苗圃)的结构和用途特点,为红树林生态恢复工程的系统集成管理提供参考.     

A review on the present status and management of mangrove wetland habitat resources in Bangladesh with emphasis on mangrove fisheries and aquaculture

The mangrove forest of Bangladesh, the largest continuous mangrove bulk, is one of the most important features of the coastal area of the country. The existence of the mangrove has increased the values of other coastal and marine resources such as the coastal and marine fisheries by increasing productivity and supporting a wide biological diversity. The deltaic mangrove of Bangladesh is ecologically different from the other, mostly nondeltaic mangroves of the world and is unique also in its floral and faunal assemblage; therefore, a number of endangered plants and animals that are extinct from other parts of the world, are existing in Bangladesh mangrove. However, the mangrove has been under intensive pressure of exploitation for the last few decades which, in addition to direct clearance and conversion have placed the mangrove under extreme threat. Shrimp farming is the most destructive form of resource use the mangrove has been converted to, which contributed significantly to mangrove destruction with a corresponding loss of biological resources. Concerns have been raised among the ecologists, biologists, managers and policy makers since the early 1990s; deliberate destruction of mangrove and unplanned development of coastal aquaculture particularly shrimp aquaculture have been put under extreme criticism and the sustainability has been questioned. The present status of the mangrove resources including mangrove fisheries and aquaculture and management practices have been reviewed in this paper; impacts of different forms of human interventions and resource use have also been discussed. It is suggested that the management options and the policy aspects should be critically reviewed and amended accordingly; beneficiaries and stakeholders at all levels of resource exploitation must take part and contribute to conservation and management. An immediate need for mangrove conservation has been identified.     

Invaders' control on post-disturbance succession in coastal mangroves

Aims In recent years, coastal mangroves have been frequently affected by large disturbances (cyclones, hurricanes, flooding and tsunamis) and post-disturbance vegetation is often dominated by small stature mangrove, mangrove-associate and non-mangrove species potentially affecting ecosystem functioning. Knowledge on the processes of mangrove vegetation development and recovery (succession) following normal and large disturbances will benefit practitioners in designing robust ecosystem management/restoration plans. Here we propose a conceptual model of disturbance-mediated succession in mangroves.Methods Based on field observations and species' life history traits, we develop conceptual models of mangrove succession under normal disturbance regime and recently experienced increased frequency of large disturbances. We evaluate our conceptual models by conducting a scenario testing experiment.Important findings We suggest two predominant processes affecting mangrove succession after disturbance: propagule limitation due to damage of seed producing mature trees and dispersal barrier resulting from biological invasion associated with large disturbance. We argue that large disturbances affect mature trees more than the small-stature non-tree (shrubs, herbs and climbers) species creating a larger propagule shortage for mangrove tree species than non-tree species. Secondly, large disturbances facilitate invasion of free-floating aquatics, which may interfere with the flow-facilitated propagule dispersal and seedling establishment of mangrove species. In a scenario testing experiment, we have shown that similar levels of disturbance impact vegetation development and recovery differently depending on the presence or absence of invasive species. We conclude that since biological invasion is one of the major drivers of post-disturbance mangrove succession, the dimension of biological invasion should be included in prediction, management and restoration of mangrove forests.     

Local Mangrove Planting in the Philippines: Are Fisherfolk and Fishpond Owners Effective Restorationists?

Local fisherfolk and fishpond owners have been practicing “restoration” of mangrove forests in some parts of the Philippines for decades, well before governments and non‐government organizations began to promote the activity as a conservation tool. This paper examines ecological characteristics of these mangrove plantations and compares them to natural mangroves in the same areas. Mangrove planters were interviewed and plantation and natural mangrove forests were surveyed to measure forest structure, composition and regeneration. Compared with natural forests, mangrove plantations were characterized by high densities of small stems, shorter and narrower canopies, and fewer species. For both economic and ecological reasons, the vast majority of people dispersed and planted only Rhizophora mucronata/stylosa and, furthermore, they often thinned other species out of planted areas. There was remarkably little subsequent recruitment of other, nonplanted mangrove species into plantations up to 50 and 60 years of age. This pattern held across a diversity of sites, including plantations that had not been selectively cut or weeded. Important ecological and economic benefits result from local mangrove planting, but catalyzing diverse forest regeneration—at least in the short to medium term—is not one of them. The lesson: if you want to restore diverse mangrove forests, you have to plant diverse mangrove forests.     

Differentiation between true mangroves and mangrove associates based on leaf traits and salt contents

Aims Mangrove species are classified as true mangroves and mangrove associates. However, as for some fringe species found mainly on the landward transitional zones of mangroves, no consensus among scientists could be reached in favor of this classification and much debate arises. We hypothesized that true mangroves differ from mangrove associates physiologically and ecologically in their ability to survive in mangrove environment.Methods To test this hypothesis, leaf structural traits and osmotic properties were used to describe variation in 33 mangrove species (17 true mangroves, 6 mangrove associates and 10 controversial species).Important findings Specific leaf area (SLA) of true mangroves as well as leaf nitrogen concentration on a leaf mass (Nmass) were lower than that of mangrove associates; leaf succulence was, in general, twice as high in true mangroves compared to mangrove associates; true mangroves accumulated 8–9 times more Na and Cl than mangrove associates and the former had K/Na ratios <0.5, but the latter had K/Na ratios>0.5. These results indicated that true mangroves differed reliably from mangrove associates in leaf traits and osmotic properties. True mangroves are true halophytes and mangrove associates are glycophytes with certain salt tolerance. Combining distribution pattern information, the 10 controversial species were reclassified.     

A comparison of species composition and stand structure between planted and natural mangrove forests in Shenzhen Bay,South China

Aims For assisting faster restoration of damaged or severely disturbed coastal ecosystems, selected mangrove species have been planted on previously mangrove-inhabited sites of the tropical and subtropical coasts of southern China. The objective of this study was to understand the stand dynamics of the planted mangroves and their functional traits in comparison with natural mangrove forests under similar site conditions.Methods Species composition, stand density, tree size distribution, and aboveground production were investigated along three transects in a 50-year-old planted mangrove stand and three transects in an adjacent natural mangrove stand in Shenzhen Bay, South China. Measurements were made on tree distribution by species, stand structure, and aboveground biomass (AGB) distribution. Analyses were performed on the spatial patterns of tree size distribution and species association.Important findings We found that the planted and natural mangrove stands did not differ in stand density, average diameter at breast height (DBH), species composition, and AGB. Spatial distribution of AGB and frequency at species level were also similar between the planted and natural stands. However, the traits in stand structure were more variable in the planted stand than in the natural stand, indicating higher spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the development and succession of planted mangroves. Geostatistical analyses show that both DBH and AGB were spatially auto-correlated within a specific range in the direction perpendicular to coastline. More than 60% of the variance in these attributes was due to spatial autocorrelation. The Ripley's K -function analysis shows that the two dominant species, Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina, clumped in broader scales in the natural stand than in the planted stand and displayed significant interspecific competition across the whole transect. It is suggested that interspecific competition interacts with spatial autocorrelation as the underlying mechanism shaping the mangrove structure. This study demonstrates that at age 50, mangrove plantations can perform similarly in stand structure, spatial arrangement of selected stand characteristics and species associations to the natural mangrove forests.     

A review of the role of fish as biological control agents of disease vector mosquitoes in mangrove forests: reducing human health risks while reducing environmental risk

The saltwater mosquito, Aedes vigilax, is prolific in coastal wetlands including mangroves and saltmarshes. Ae. vigilax is a vector for arboviruses such as Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, with significant consequences for human health and economic productivity. In Australia the dominant form of mosquito control is chemicals. For mangroves, this is because there is a critical lack of knowledge supporting alternative approaches, such as environmental modification or biological control using larvivorous fish. This review examines the potential of fish as biological agents for the control of mosquito larvae in mangroves. We consider two key aspects: how larvivorous fish use mangroves; and can larvivorous fish reduce larval mosquito populations sufficiently to provide effective mosquito control? The link between fish and mangroves is reasonably well established, where mangroves act as refuge habitat for small and juvenile fish. Also, research has established that fish can be significant predators of mosquitoes, and therefore may be effective control agents. However, studies of fish activity within mangroves are limited to study of the fringe of the mangroves and not the internal structure of mangrove basins and as a result, fish populations within these areas remain unstudied. Also, until recently there was little appreciation of the mangrove-mosquito habitat relationship and, as a consequence, the importance of the mangrove basin as the key mosquito habitat has also been overlooked in the literature. Similarly, the predator/prey relationships between fish and mosquitoes within mangrove basin environments also remain unstudied, and therefore the importance of fish for mosquito management in mangrove basins is not known. There are substantial knowledge gaps regarding the potential of fish in controlling larval mosquitoes in mangroves. The gaps include: understanding of how larvivorous fish use mangrove basins; the nature of the fish-mosquito predator/prey relationship in mangrove basins; and whether larvivorous fish are effective as a mosquito control option in mangroves.     

Ecology of Mangrove Growth and Recovery in the Lesser Antilles: State of Knowledge and Basis for Restoration Projects

Whereas the increasing knowledge on tropical coastal wetlands highlights the ecological and economical importance of such ecosystems, anthropogenic activities within the coastal zone have caused substantial, irreversible losses of mangrove areas in the Lesser Antilles during the last decades. Such a paradox gives strength to compensatory policy efforts toward mangrove restoration. We review the available knowledge on the ecology of mangrove growth and recovery in the Lesser Antilles as a contribution to possible restoration projects in such islands. Distribution of species follows a general pattern of seaward/landward zonation according to their respective tolerance to flooding and to pore‐water salinity. An experimental study of seedling growth following simulated oil spill has documented the tolerance of Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans seedlings to oil concentration in soils and the effects of natural biotic and abiotic factors on seedlings growth and survival. Monitoring mangrove recovery following hurricane Hugo has given information on growth patterns, from seedling to sapling stages, according to species and site conditions. Forest recovery was mostly due to pre‐established seedlings. For the large Rhizophora propagules, buoyancy appears to be a quite inefficient way of dispersal far inland from the sea shore or riversides. Causes of recovery failure are discussed. From these results we attempt to answer the questions when, where, how to plant mangroves, and what species to use.     

Developing management plans for the mangrove forest reserves of mainland Tanzania

The mangroves of Tanzania are currently not being managed although they are legally gazetted as forest reserves. The management of this overexploited and under estimated natural resource rests with the Forest and Beekeeping Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. It is the Division's intention to conserve the mangroves of Tanzania, therefore steps are being taken to reach that goal. So far the Division, through its established mangrove project, has done an inventory of all the mangroves of mainland Tanzania with the assistance of NORAD. Aerial photography and ground checks were used to assess the state of all the mangrove reserves in the country. Literature search and a socio-economic study was also undertaken.The inventory revealed that the area covered by mangrove vegetation is 115 901 ha while the previous records indicate about 80 000 ha. If the bare saline areas, water bodies, and salt pans which are part of the mangrove reserves are included, the area amounts to 172 879 ha for the Tanzania mainland. The mangrove reserves have already been mapped in 30 sheets. Some sheets are mapped using a scale of 1:25 000 while others are mapped in 1:50 000 scale. The maps show the vegetation types, the area of each vegetation type, and the stand density and height of each compartment.The paper therefore presents the current status of the mangroves of Tanzania in respect to area, distribution and vegetation types. Included are the strategies being used to develop the mangrove management plans for Tanzania.     

Local Management of Mangrove Forests in the Philippines: Successful Conservation or Efficient Resource Exploitation?

Recent environmental narratives suggest that local people are effective stewards of forest resources. Local restoration and management of mangrove forests, in particular, are now widely advocated as a solution to achieve both economic and environmental conservation goals. This paper presents findings from a study of 2 coastal sites in the Philippines that are renowned and often showcased as success stories in community-based, mangrove reforestation and management. These cases are especially intriguing because local tree planting and management emerged in both areas long before governments and nongovernment organizations began to promote such activities. These management systems are a successful economic innovation in that planted mangroves protect homes and fish pond dykes from wave and wind damage, and the production of high-value construction wood is dramatically enhanced through intensive plantation management. Mangrove plantations are an efficient alternative to harvesting from unplanted, natural mangroves and their spread may reduce harvesting pressures on existing forests. However, mangrove plantations are structurally and compositionaly very different from unplanted forests, a finding of particular concern given that such plantations are increasingly encroaching into and replacing natural forests. Furthermore, planted forests are not typically viewed by planters in terms of their environmental conservation values and are frequently cut and cleared to make space for alternative uses, especially fish farming and residential settlement. The suggestion that these local mangrove management systems are successful for conservation thus needs to be qualified.     

红树林植被对大型底栖动物群落的影响

大型底栖动物是红树林生态系统的重要组成部分,从红树林大型底栖动物种类、红树林与其周边生境大型底栖动物群落的比较,以及生境变化对动物群落的影响等方面阐述了红树林植被与大型底栖动物群落的关系.从物种数量上看,软体动物和甲壳类动物构成了红树林大型底栖动物的主要部分.影响大型底栖动物分布的环境因素包括海水盐度、潮位和土壤特性等,但在小范围区域,林内动物的分布更多地与红树林植被特性和潮位有关.因此,由于红树林植被破坏或者恢复引起的生境变化,将导致大型底栖动物群落和常见物种种群的变化,尤其对底上动物影响明显;随着人工恢复红树林的发育,林内底栖动物的多样性相应增加,优势种也发生变化.相比位于相同潮位的无植被滩涂,红树林可促进潮间带生物多样性.     

Mangroves and brackishwater pond culture in the Philippines

Around 50% of mangrove loss in the Philippines can be traced to brackishwater pond construction. The decrease in mangroves from 450 000 ha in 1920 to 132 500 ha in 1990 has been accompanied by expansion of culture ponds to 223 000 ha in 1990. The history of fishpond development in the country includes a government-sponsored fishpond boom in the 1950-g and 1960s, the proconservation decade of the 1970s followed by a shrimp fever in the 1980s. Production from brackisshwater ponds has increased from 15 900 mt worth P7.6 million in 1938 to 267 000 mt valued at P6.5 billion in 1990. On the other hand, the maximum valuation of over $11 000 ha^–1 yr^–1 for unmanaged and managed mangrove forests makes them economically on par with the most profitable pond farming systems. The loss of mangrove systems and their varied goods and services is the single most important consequence of brackishwater pond culture in the Philippines. Moreover, intensive shrimp farming is associated with other ecological and socioeconomic effects such as pollution of coastal waters and decline in domestic food crops. New legislation and enforcement of existing laws, conservation of remaining mangroves, massive rehabilitation of denuded mangrove areas, and promotion of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries are recommended.