Abstract
ABSTRACT The mangrove ecosystem performs several natural functions of great ecological and economic importance. This study provided procedures for the recovery of mangrove ecosystems through the characterization of vegetation and zonation patterns and evaluation of growth and survival rates of mangrove species in an experimental plantation. The study was performed in the Acaraú River estuary mangrove on the western coast of Ceará State. The characterization of vegetation was conducted with the use of multiple plots and transects replication. Plants were identified at the species level, and their heights and CBH (circumference at breast height) were measured in each plot. Seedlings of the dominant mangrove species were produced using estuarine propagules. Five mangrove species were sampled: Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, and Conocarpus erectus. L. racemosa was the most dominant and frequent species, followed by A. germinas. A total of 111 L. racemosa and 102 Avicennia sp seedlings of were produced. Seedlings were viable for replanting within two months. The results of the analysis of vegetation structure and production and growth of seedlings are encouraging and demonstrate that revegetation is not only possible but also successful in this significantly deforested and degraded mangrove.
Highlights
Mangroves are one of the most important coastal environments in the tropics
Five mangrove species were sampled in the study area in the Acaraú River estuary: red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans and Avicennia schaueriana, white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, and the button mangrove, Conocarpus erectus
A total of 17 individuals were dead in the sampling area, 10 A. germinans and 7 L. racemosa, all observed in plots one and two
Summary
Mangroves are one of the most important coastal environments in the tropics They are characterized by typical woody vegetation (angiosperms) associated with other components of flora and fauna adapted to limiting conditions of salinity and unconsolidated substrate that is poorly oxygenated and frequently submerged by tides (SCHAEFFER-NOVELLI, 1995). This ecosystem performs several natural functions of great ecological and economic importance including the support of coastal food chains as a source of organic matter, and as refuge, feeding, and reproduction areas for many animal species including those with economic value (LACERDA, 1984; LUGO; SNEDAKER, 1974; VANNUCCI, 2001; NAGELKERKEN, 2002). The progressive deforestation of mangrove forests for timber harvesting causes various imbalances in the natural dynamics and is noteworthy in the Northeastern states in Brazil where shrimp farming or production of fishing products have prospered at the expense of the mangrove forests (IBAMA, 2005; SILVA, 2006; ARAÚJO; FREIRE, 2007)
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