Ecology of Mangrove Growth and Recovery in the Lesser Antilles: State of Knowledge and Basis for Restoration Projects

background

This article reviews the available information pertaining to mangrove ecology and restoration in the Lesser Antilles. On the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, mangrove species form monospecific vegetation belts parallel the shore. They follow an ecological gradient based on salinity and drainage, with the most halophylic being the Avicennia species followed by Rhizophora mangle and Conocarpus erectus, then Laguncularia racemosa with a lower salinity tolerance. In 1986 an experimental oil spill was created to study the ability of mangroves to regrow on polluted soil.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Mortality increased by treatment ranching from the control with 18% mortality to the experimental plots of 5,20, and 301 liters per square meter with 48%, 74%, and 89% mortality respectively. The authors provide recommendations for mangrove restoration including: monitoring for natural regeneration processes before planting trees; assessing the environmental variables to guide species selection (for example, Rhizophora is best along low sheltered shores and river banks); using mature propagules and seeds by burying them; consider species requirements for light when deciding planting density; and other recommendations. To avoid drought stress, the authors recommend planting at the onset of the rainy season, except for poorly sheltered shores which should occur in February or March when the sea level is lowest.