Nitrogen fixation in preserved, reforested, naturally regenerated and impaired mangroves as an indicator of functional restoration in mangroves in an arid region of Mexico
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Published source details
Vovides A.G., Bashan Y., López-Portillo J.A. & Guevara R. (2011) Nitrogen fixation in preserved, reforested, naturally regenerated and impaired mangroves as an indicator of functional restoration in mangroves in an arid region of Mexico. Restoration Ecology, 19, 236-244.
Published source details Vovides A.G., Bashan Y., López-Portillo J.A. & Guevara R. (2011) Nitrogen fixation in preserved, reforested, naturally regenerated and impaired mangroves as an indicator of functional restoration in mangroves in an arid region of Mexico. Restoration Ecology, 19, 236-244.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Facilitate tidal exchange to restore degraded brackish/saline swamps Action Link |
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Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands Action Link |
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Facilitate tidal exchange to restore degraded brackish/saline swamps
A site comparison study in 2006–2007 of mangrove forests in northwest Mexico (Vovides et al. 2011) reported that a forest connected to a partially reopened tidal channel contained a different tree community and fewer trees than pristine natural forests, but that both forests contained similarly sized trees. Statistical significance was not assessed. After 10–11 years, the tidally restored area contained two tree species (mostly black mangrove Avicennia germinans with some red mangrove Rhizophora mangle). Pristine forests contained 2–3 species (always including white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa). The tidally restored area contained only 3.3 trees/m2 (vs pristine: 4.5–7.9 trees/m2) with a basal area of 34 cm2/m2 (vs pristine: 48–68 cm2/m2. For data on the abundance of individual species, see original paper. The average size of trees in the tidally restored area (height: 0.9–1.0 m; diameter: 3–5 cm) was within the range of trees in the pristine forest (height: 0.9–1.3 m; diameter: 2–9 cm). Methods: In 2006 or 2007, live trees were counted, identified and measured in 10 plots. Two 5-m2 plots were in a forest with partially restored tidal exchange. Its feeder channel had been blocked during road construction in 1995, then reopened one year later in 1996 (but only to 3.5 m diameter, not the pre-construction 5 m). Eight 1-m2 plots were in pristine mangrove patches in a nearby lagoon.
(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
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Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands
A site comparison study in 2006–2007 of mangrove forests in northwest Mexico (Vovides et al. 2011) reported that a planted forest contained a similar tree community to pristine natural forests after 12 years, but contained fewer and taller trees. Unless specified, statistical significance was not assessed. The planted forest contained three tree species (planted black mangrove Avicennia germinans and two others). Pristine forests contained 2–3 species (black mangrove and 1–2 others). The overall tree density was significantly lower in the planted forest (1.4 trees/m2) than pristine forests (4.5–7.9 trees/m2). For data on the abundance of individual species, see original paper. In the planted forest, trees were 1.3–1.8 m tall on average (vs pristine: only 0.9–1.3 m), had stems 3–7 cm thick on average (vs pristine: 2–9 cm), and had an average basal area of 27 cm2/m2 (vs pristine: 48–68 cm2/m2). Methods: In 2006 or 2007, trees were counted, identified and measured in 10 plots. Two 5-m2 plots were in a replanted forest, where 111 clusters of nursery-reared black mangrove seedlings had been planted, 1 m apart, in December 1994. Eight 1-m2 plots were in pristine mangrove patches in the same lagoon. This study included the area restored in (6).
(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
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