Mangrove, Avicennia marina, establishment and growth under the arid climate of Kuwait

Published source details Bhat N.R., Suleiman M.K. & Shahid S.A. (2004) Mangrove, Avicennia marina, establishment and growth under the arid climate of Kuwait. Arid Land Research and Management (formerly Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 1987-2000), 18, 127-139.
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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 the early 2000s on five coastal mudflats in Kuwait (Bhat et al. 2004) reported 16–81% survival of planted grey mangrove Avicennia marina seedlings after nine months, and that the number of branches/seedling typically increased over time but their height typically did not. Statistical significance was not assessed. On average, surviving seedlings had 1–2 branches three months after planting, then 3–7 branches nine months after planting. When planted, the average height of seedlings was 20–25 cm. After nine months, the average height of surviving seedlings was 19–27 cm in four of five sites (46–47 cm in the other site). The study suggests that survival and growth were affected by physical factors such as soil texture, salinity, elevation and the presence of algae. Methods: Grey mangrove seedlings were planted in five tidal, coastal mudflats (1,500–2,000 seedlings/site, 1 m apart). The seedlings had been reared in a nursery from propagules collected in the United Arab Emirates and acclimatized to local high salinities before planting. Surviving seedlings were recorded and measured for up to nine months after planting.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)