Early growth and survival of Avicennia alba seedlings under excessive sedimentation

Published source details Affandi N.A.M., Kamali B., Rozianah M.Z., Mohd Tamin N. & Hashim R. (2010) Early growth and survival of Avicennia alba seedlings under excessive sedimentation. Scientific Research and Essays, 2801-2805.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands Action Link

Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands

A site comparison study in 2009 on the coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Affandi et al. 2010) reported that only 7% of planted Avicennia alba seedlings survived for four months, but that survivors had grown in height by 2.5 mm/cm. For comparison, seedlings growing naturally in a nearby established mangrove had 92% survival over four months, and survivors had grown in height by 1.5 mm/cm. Methods: In April 2009, Avicennia alba seedlings were planted on a bare intertidal area with clay/loam soils. The 314 seedlings had been grown in coconut-fibre logs in a nursery for six months (5 seedlings/3 m log). Then, the coir logs were placed directly onto the intertidal area. A breakwater had been built to shelter the seedlings from waves, but it had the unintended effect of encouraging sediment deposition around the seedlings. Seedling survival and growth (relative to initial height) were monitored for four months: for the planted seedlings and 80 seedlings growing spontaneously in a nearby mangrove forest.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)