Abstract
Abstract Background Mangrove restoration seeks to restore or rebuild degraded mangrove systems. The methods of mangrove restoration include ecological projects and restoration-oriented technologies, the latter of which are designed to restore the structure, processes as well as related physical, chemical and biological characteristics of wetlands and to ensure the provision of ecosystem services. As important components of mangrove ecosystem, benthic organisms and crabs play a key role in nutrient cycling. In addition, mangrove restoration, such as vegetation restoration measures, can lead to changes in the benthic faunal communities. This study investigates whether the presence of different mangrove species, age and canopy cover of mangrove communities affect the density of crab burrows. Methods The Luoyangjiang Estuary, in the southeast of Fujian Province, was selected as our research area. A survey, covering 14 sites, was conducted to investigate the impacts of mangrove restoration on the density of crab burrows in four rehabilitated forests with different stand ages and canopy. Results It was found that differences in vegetation types had a large impact on crab density and that the density of crab burrows was lower on exposed beaches (non-mangrove) than under mature Kandelia candel, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina communities. In general, the amount of leaf litter and debris on mangrove mudflats was greater than on the beaches as food sources for crabs. Two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that changes in mangrove species and age since restoration had different effects on crab burrow density. The effect of canopy cover was highly significant on crab burrow density. Conclusions The results suggest that in the process of mangrove restoration the combined effects of mangrove stand age, canopy cover and other factors should be taken into account. This study further supports the findings of the future scientific research and practice on mangrove restoration and management measures.
Highlights
Mangrove restoration seeks to restore or rebuild degraded mangrove systems
The decline of mangrove communities leads to the shortening of shorelines, which has decreased from 198 km in 1980 to 158 km in 1990, with only 147 km remaining in 2003 (Food and Agricultural Organization FAO 2003)
The objective of our study was to explore the impact of restoration on the density of crab burrows in several rehabilitated mangrove forests of various ages and different canopy covers in the Luoyangjiang Estuary, China
Summary
Mangrove restoration seeks to restore or rebuild degraded mangrove systems. The methods of mangrove restoration include ecological projects and restoration-oriented technologies, the latter of which are designed to restore the structure, processes as well as related physical, chemical and biological characteristics of wetlands and to ensure the provision of ecosystem services. As important components of mangrove ecosystem, benthic organisms and crabs play a key role in nutrient cycling. Mangrove restoration, such as vegetation restoration measures, can lead to changes in the benthic faunal communities. The decline of mangrove communities leads to the shortening of shorelines, which has decreased from 198 km in 1980 to 158 km in 1990, with only 147 km remaining in 2003 (Food and Agricultural Organization FAO 2003). 1980s; the area of mangroves dropped from 400,000– 420,000 ha in 1956 to 21,283 ha in 1986 and to 15,122 ha in the early 1990s (Zheng et al 2003; Fan 2000). In China, the area of mangroves reached 22,025 ha by 2001, of which almost 7,000 ha was restored or recovered naturally (Fan 2000). Large-scale mangrove restoration activities still face many challenges
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