Mangrove Rehabilitation on Alo Beach, Talaud: Early Success, Failure After Four Years

Image: article cover, from Ady (2017), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

A research team from the Forestry and Environmental Research and Development Centre in Manado studied mangrove rehabilitation at Alo Beach on Karakelang Island, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi. The study, conducted from June 2013 to April 2017, tested the planting of Rhizophora mucronata Lamk using propagules, the natural seedlings that grow from the fruit. The planting was judged successful at 1.5 months but declared a failure when the plants reached 48 months.

According to the study, in addition to waves and tides, low nutrient levels in the substrate, or underlying soil, were a major factor influencing the success of mangrove rehabilitation at Alo Beach. Of the six treatments tested, treatment K5 gave the highest survival and growth rates. That treatment used pneumatophores, or breathing roots, as supports. Conversely, planting without supports, treatment K1, had the lowest survival and growth rates from the outset.

These findings are important for mangrove rehabilitation efforts in Indonesia. Planting mangroves on open coasts requires more than simply pushing propagules into the mud. Soil conditions, wave action and tides must be taken into account so that seedlings do not die later. For communities living near the forest, particularly in the Talaud Islands, the supported planting method used in treatment K5 could serve as a reference to make plantings more durable.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Mangrove Rehabilitation at Alo Beach (Karakelang Islands, Talaud) Using Propagul of Rhizophora mucronata Lamk by Ady Suryawan Ady, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 4 No. 2 (2017). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Ady, A. S. (2017). Mangrove Rehabilitation at Alo Beach (Karakelang Islands, Talaud) Using Propagul of Rhizophora mucronata Lamk. Jurnal Wasian, 4(2), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.62142/1afyfs82

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.