ABSTRACT
We report on the initial efforts of post-remediation planting of nearly 2 million mangrove seedlings in almost 1000 ha of habitat primarily devoid of living mangroves following numerous oil spills. Seedlings will be planted at 2500/ha using a 2 m spacing. The first phase of mangrove planting commenced in 2021 with the planting of Rhizophora spp. By the end of 2022, 339,598 seedlings covering 123 ha were planted. Field monitoring started one month after planting, during which surviving plants must be 95% or greater or replaced by additional plants. 11% of the total seedlings planted were replaced.
After passing the 1-month survival criterion, monitoring at 6-, 12- and 18 months commences with measuring survival and growth characteristics for 25 plants in each grid. In total, 309 grids are slated for planting. To date, plants within 4% of the project area have been marked and monitored for six months.
Lessons learned include the following: The nurseries must be verified to supply healthy mangrove seedlings. Avoid planting close to existing mangroves and stepping on regenerating plants. Planting in areas too low in the intertidal zone and planting on mud flats must also be avoided. After a hiatus in project activities in 2023 due to community unrest, planting is intended to be completed in 2024.