Assessment of asymmetric mangrove restoration trials in Ogoniland, Niger Delta, Nigeria: lessons for future intervention

Published source details Zabbey N. & Tanee F.B.G. (2016) Assessment of asymmetric mangrove restoration trials in Ogoniland, Niger Delta, Nigeria: lessons for future intervention. Ecological Restoration, 34, 245-257.
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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 Action Link

Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands

A study in 2005–2008 on a mudflat alongside a brackish creek in southern Nigeria (Zabbey & Tanee 2016) reported that 72% of planted red mangrove Rhizophora racemosa seedlings survived for three years, and that the average size of survivors increased over time. After three years, surviving individuals were 3.1 m tall and had a stem diameter of 2.8 cm (compared to 0.6 m tall and 1.4 cm diameter one month after planting). These results are not based on assessments of statistical significance. Methods: In November 2005, four hundred red mangrove seedlings were planted alongside Bodo Creek, in a former mangrove swamp that had been killed by an oil spill in 2003. The nursery-reared seedlings were planted 1 m apart. “Some” wilting seedlings were replaced one month after initial planting, and were not included in the analysis. Before planting, dead stumps were removed from the study site (but left at the margins to prevent erosion) and the sediment was tilled. For a year from July 2005, the site was also fertilized (weekly or bi-weekly; 1.2 kg NPK fertilizer/0.17 ha/application). Surviving seedlings were monitored one month and approximately three years after planting.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
Directly plant trees/shrubs: brackish/saline wetlands

A study in 2010–2013 alongside a brackish creek in southern Nigeria (Zabbey & Tanee 2016) reported that only 12% of planted red mangrove Rhizophora racemosa seedlings survived for three years, but that the average size of survivors increased over time. After three years, surviving individuals were 1.3 m tall and had a stem diameter of 2.1 cm (compared to 0.5 m tall and 1.3 cm diameter immediately after planting). These results are not based on assessments of statistical significance. Methods: In April 2010, four hundred red mangrove seedlings were planted alongside Kono Creek, in an area cleared of invasive nipa palm Nypa fruticans (clear cut, and rhizomes removed). The site was weakly brackish (<4 ppt). The nursery-reared seedlings were planted early in the morning, 1 m apart. Seedlings were measured immediately after planting and three years later.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)