Influence of species richness and environmental context on early survival of replanted mangroves at Gazi bay, Kenya

Published source details Kirui B.Y.K., Huxham M., Kairo J. & Skov M. (2008) Influence of species richness and environmental context on early survival of replanted mangroves at Gazi bay, Kenya. Hydrobiologia, 603, 171-181.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands Action Link

Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands

A replicated study in 2003–2005 in two historically logged mangrove areas in southeast Kenya (Kirui et al. 2008) reported that 29–87% of planted mangrove saplings survived over 13–25 months. Four species were planted. In one area, 35–55% of planted mangrove apple Sonneratia alba saplings survived for 25 months. In another area, the survival rate after 13 months was 29% for large-leafed mangrove Bruguiera gymnorhiza, 71% for spurred mangrove Ceriops tagal and 87% for grey mangrove Avicennia marina. For these species, survival was negatively related to salinity and positively related to height above the shoreline, but was not significantly affected by the number of species planted within plots or whether saplings were at the edge or middle of plots. Methods: Two historically clear-felled areas within Gazi Bay were planted with nursery-raised saplings. In July 2003, mangrove apple was planted in one area flooded by tides every day (697 saplings, mostly 4–5 months old, 0.5–1m apart). In August 2004, the other three species were planted in another area flooded only during spring high tides (3,390 saplings, 6 months old, 0.6 m apart, in 32 single or mixed-species plots). Saplings that died within one month were replaced. Survival was then recorded after 25 months (mangrove apple) or 13 months (other species).

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)