Restoration and recovery of hurricane-damaged mangroves using the knickpoint retreat effect and tides as dredging tools

Published source details Bashan Y., Moreno M., Salazar B.G. & Alvarez L. (2013) Restoration and recovery of hurricane-damaged mangroves using the knickpoint retreat effect and tides as dredging tools. Journal of Environmental Management, 116, 196-203.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Facilitate tidal exchange to restore degraded brackish/saline swamps Action Link

Facilitate tidal exchange to restore degraded brackish/saline swamps

A before-and-after study in 2004–2009 of a mangrove forest in northwest Mexico (Bashan et al. 2013) reported that after excavating a channel to restore tidal exchange, the area of live mangrove trees increased. Before excavation, the site contained only 2,890 m² of live mangrove trees. Approximately five years after excavation, the site contained 11,830 m² of live mangrove trees. Mangroves recolonized the site and expanded into surrounding sand dunes. The same three tree species were present before and after restoration, in similar proportions (% of total mangrove area): 49% red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, 23–24% black mangrove Avicennia germinans and 27–28% white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa. Methods: In April–June 2004, tidal exchange was restored to a degraded mangrove forest by excavating a stepped outlet channel through a sandbar (deposited by a hurricane three years previously). The channel had to be cleared of sediment twice after the initial excavation. The area covered by live mangrove trees was measured from satellite images, and verified with field surveys, before excavation (early 2004) and approximately five years after (2009).

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)