Early performance of mangrove seedlings in abandoned fishpond rehabilitation using silvofishery approach

Abstract

Mangrove is an essential ecosystem for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Yet, mangrove rehabilitation and restoration remain a huge challenge indicated by the unacceptably high failure rate particularly during the early stage after planting. Long-term monitoring and evaluation is one of the key factors to improve success rate. Hence, study on the seedlings' performance is essential. This study analyzes mangrove seedlings' health by assessing survival rate and leaf morphometrics in silvofishery sites in Buer Village, Sumbawa District, Indonesia. One-hectare plot of Rhizophora mucronata planted on January 2020 and one-hectare plot of Rhizophora stylosa planted on February 2020 were selected. To analyze leaf morphometrics variations, forty leaves were collected from each plot. The seedlings of R. mucronata (CV 15%) have bigger competition and lower adaptation ability compared to R. stylosa (CV 6%). Water quality parameters supports the growth of Rhizophora, sp. The species selected is appropriate for the location (middle to upper intertidal level). The success rate is high, around 95% and 80% for R. stylosa plot and R. mucronata, respectively. Factors attributed to the high success rate are (i) hydrological intervention, (ii) ownership and buy-in, (iii) international partnership, (iv) land tenure security, and (v) regular monitoring.