| Popis: |
Documented knowledge on the evaluation of mangrove plantation/restoration site is very limited in India. In this effort, an attempt has been made to evaluate a mangrove plantation site managed by a local non-governmental organization (NGO) after 2 years of implementation. In this framework, the plantation project was assessed by (i) biodiversity richness, (ii) composition and vegetation structure and (iii) interaction of biotic and abiotic factors and (iv) societal aspects. The floristic diversity includes ten true mangrove species and nine mangrove associates in the patch. The natural regeneration potential has remarkably increased after plantation, and Sonneratia apetala is considered as ‘champion species’ in terms of natural regeneration (seedling density 3730 ha−1). The colonization of the macro-benthos was significantly amplified after plantation, and three species of molluscs and fourteen crustacean species (brachyuran crabs, grapsid crabs, hermit crabs and scorpion mud lobster) with ample bioturbation dynamics were encountered during the study. The present short-term evaluation depicted that the implementing NGO is primarily successful in re-establishing the natural diversity and ecosystem functioning in an increasing anthropogenic interfered landscape, and local communities are managing the site. Thus, to achieve a successful mangrove plantation/restoration programme, formulation of a location-specific long-term monitoring plan and adoption of community-based co-management practices are recommended. |
