Better Approaches are Required for Successful Mangrove Restoration and Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

Global mangrove area, especially in Indonesia is continued to decrease up to 2% y-1 over the past few decades. One of the most common strategies to restore degraded mangrove areas is mangrove planting. The objective of this study is to assess current conditions of mangroves and to evaluate mangrove planting. The study revealed that about 75% of mangrove in the study sites was degraded (poor and moderate condition) and only 25% of mangrove was healthy. Questionnaire and interview survey across Indonesia showed that a large number of funds (up to USD 71,443 per location) and effort were invested in mangrove planting, as indicated by project cost, planting area, and number of seed/propagules planted. However, about 79% of mangrove planting was not successful. It was indicated by low seed/propagules survival and low long-term mangrove area increase. In addition, the restoration often did not have proper land preparation, regular maintenance and monitoring, and mangrove seed/propagules are fully depend on nature and seasonal. Vegetative propagation (cutting) experiment in this study showed that true mangrove species were not successfully planted using the conventional vegetative technique. Only some associate mangroves can be planted using the vegetative technique with a survival rate between 40 – 90% and growth rate of 3 – 6 cm month-1. Given most of mangrove was degraded and generally, mangrove planting was not successful, a better restoration and rehabilitation approach is crucial to ensure the success of mangrove restoration program.