Reforestation of grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Every ecosystem supports the living organisms by providing direct and indirect benefits and services. Among these areas, mangrove forests are one of the most fertile ecosystems in the intertidal zones. These natural forests are one of the coastal ecosystems that not only provide a source of food for humans and animals, but also play a major role in protecting and stabilizing coastlines and controlling climate. Mangroves are a breeding ground and a safe habitat for a variety of marine vertebrates and invertebrates. This study explains the experienced methods of propagation and foresting of Avicenna marina species. For the first time in the Persian Gulf, we reported a 5-year evaluation of reforestation method of grey mangrove. Reforestation in the highest latitude of natural forests in the Persian Gulf did not have any side effects on growing of Grey mangrove in the selected sites. As a result, increasing the area of Grey mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf improves the ecosystems of the tidal area. Increasing the chances of fishing and improving the economic conditions of the local communities around this bay will be some of the results of mangrove forestation. Furthermore, this is the first report of a simple method to train all the steps of grey mangrove reforestation.