Survival and growth performances of some mangrove species replanted in the ex-agricultural land of the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify the sur vival and growth performances of six native mangrove species (Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia marina, Br uguiera sexangula, Heritiera fomes, Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia apetala) that were replanted on abandoned paddy fields in the A yeyar wady (AYWD) Delta of Myanmar where natural mangroves once existed. The findings indicate that low sur vival rate and poor growth of the trees can be attributed to both ground level and biotic disturbances. The growth of trees at low ground was obviously better than that of trees at high ground. At low ground, S. apetala demonstrated the best growth and R. apiculata had the highest sur vival rate. At high ground, the sur vival and growth rates of A. officinalis were the best. All the species replanted showed the highest increments of tree height from the middle of rainy season to the beginning of winter.