Disused shrimp ponds and mangrove rehabilitation

Published source details Stevenson N.J., Lewis R.R. & Burbridge P.R. (1999) Disused shrimp ponds and mangrove rehabilitation. Pages 277-297 in: W. Streever (ed.) An International Perspective on Wetland Rehabilitation. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Abandon aquaculture facilities: allow brackish/saline marshes or swamps to recover without active intervention Action Link

Abandon aquaculture facilities: allow brackish/saline marshes or swamps to recover without active intervention

A site comparison study in 1996 of an abandoned aquaculture pond in Costa Rica (Stevenson et al. 1999) reported that it had developed into mangrove forest within 14 years – containing the same four tree species as nearby natural mangroves, but a greater density of smaller trees. Statistical significance was not assessed. On average, the abandoned pond contained 15,200 trees/ha with a basal area of 18 m²/ha. The average canopy height was 4–10 m/species. In comparison, a nearby remnant of natural mangrove forest contained 7,000 trees/ha with a basal area of 29 m²/ha. The average canopy height was 8–13 m/species. Methods: In 1996, vegetation was surveyed in an abandoned shrimp pond and a nearby natural mangrove forest (two 5 x 5 m plots/site). The 4-ha pond had been used for aquaculture for 20 years, but abandoned since 1982. Its outer dike naturally breached in 1987. Only trees >2 m tall were surveyed. The study country was identified for this summary using Lewis et al. (2002).
Additional Reference
^{Lewis R.R. III, Erftemeijer P.L.A., Sayaka A. & Kethkaew P. (2002) Mangrove rehabilitation after shrimp aquaculture: a case study in progress at the Don Sak National Forest Reserves, Surat Thani, Southern Thailand. Pages 108–128 in D.J. Macintosh, M.J. Phillips, R.R. Lewis III & B. Clough (eds.) Annexes to the Thematic Review on Coastal Wetland Habitats and Shrimp Aquaculture: Case Studies. World Bank, NACA, WWF and FAO Consortium Program on Shrimp Farming and the Environment.}

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)