Restoration of Mangrove Plantations and Colonisation by Native Species in Leizhou Bay, South China

Authors

Hai Ren, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Shuguang Jian, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Hongfang Lu, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Qianmei Zhang, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Weijun Shen, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Weidong Han, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088 Guangdong, China
Zuoyun Yin, Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Qinfeng Guo, US Geological Survey

Date of this Version

2008

Comments

Published in Ecol Res (2008) 23: 401–407.

Abstract

To examine the natural colonization of native mangrove species into remediated exotic mangrove stands in Leizhou Bay, South China, we compared soil physical–chemical properties, community structure and recruitments of barren mangrove areas, native mangrove species plantations, and exotic mangrove species—Sonneratia apetala Buch.Ham—between plantations and natural forest. We found that severely degraded mangrove stands could not regenerate naturally without human intervention due to severely altered local environments, whereas some native species had been recruited into the 4–10 year S. apetala plantations. In the first 10 years, the exotic species S. apetala grew better than native species such as Rhizophora stylosa Griff and Kandelia candel (Linn.) Druce. The mangrove plantation gradually affected soil physical and chemical properties during its recovery. The exotic S. apetala was more competitive than native species and its plantation was able to restore soil organic matter in about 14 years. Thus, S. apetala can be considered as a pioneer species to improve degraded habitats to facilitate recolonization by native mangrove species. However, removal to control proliferation may be needed at late stages to facilitate growth of native species. To ensure sustainability of mangroves in South China, the existing mangrove wetlands must be managed as an ecosystem, with long-term scientific monitoring program in place.