| Code: | PRJP0000016 |
| Title: | Anping Harbor mangrove restoration project at Tainan City |
| Institution: | National Pingtung University of Science and Technology |
| Address: | Deptment of Foresty, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology |
| 1, Hseuh Fu Road, Nei, Pu, Pingtung, Taiwan |
| Tel: +886-8-7740307 Fas: +886-8-7740134 |
| Coordinator: | Kuei-Chu Fan |
| Address: | email: fankc@mail.npust.edu.tw |
| Date-commence: | August 1998 |
| Duration: | 4 years and the project work is continuing |
| Locations: | An urban wetland at Tainan City, Taiwan |
| Sponsors: | Kaohsing Harbor Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications |
| Collabs: | - |
| Objectives: | Restore the R. stylosa and L. racemosa mangrove species, destroyed by harbor construction, using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) planting pipes to restore mangroves in flooded areas. |
| The total area of this protective area is 4.6 ha, however, A. marina trees already occupy the habitat, which is suitable for mangrove growth (1.5 ha). The remaining areas have unfavorable hydrodynamics or have been degraded by damaging environmental impacts. This project has involved several mangrove replanting trials. Directly sowing R. stylosa propagules among Avicennia trees has given a survival rate of only 30%. The high mortality rate is due to polluted soil, algal damage and heavy water turbulence. However, some saplings have grown very strongly. With abundant prop roots on the favorable fringe sites near the waterway, the plants reached a mean height over 200 cm, with many propagules emerging. Ten month old L. racemosa seedlings planted in May 1998 had a survival rate of 62.4% in the first year. The seedlings grew to a height of 110 cm and flowered. However, three years after planting, the sapling height was only 160 cm, mainly because the flourishing canopy of A. marina suppressed the saplings by limiting available sunlight. |
| The author used PVC planting pipes to restore mangroves in a flooded area of 1.0 ha. The PVC pipes had an inside diameter of 10 cm, and were cut to lengths of 150 and 50 cm. Workers drilled five to ten small holes along the whole length of each pipes to allow water exchange. Each pipe was filled with muddy sediment from the surface, creating an artificial bottom, and the R. stylosa propagules with new roots were then planted into the top of the PVC pipes. |
| Unfortunately, due to serious multiple stresses, the seedling survival rate for this experiment was less than 5% after two months. The area was replanted several times during November 1998 and November 1999 with R. stylosa propagules and L. racemosa seedlings. Recent field investigations show that some vigorous R. stylosa seedlings grew extremely well in 50 cm PVC pipes, with a seedling height of 85-110 cm. The proliferating prop roots were established in muddy soil, which provides stability and essential nutrients, and the first propagule was noted on the seedlings three years after planting. |
| The R. stylosa container seedlings replanted in the 150 cm PVC pipes in November 1998 also grew well, reaching a height of 75 cm and producing several prop roots. However, they had not yet reached the bottom soil. However, the view over the R. stylosa seedlings in the flooded area is magnificent. |
| This research has shown that PVC pipes may be an effective, cheap and easy method for planting mangroves. The simple introduction of this method is published at Fan K. C. (2002) Mangroves in Taiwan: current status and restoration projects. Bios et Forêts des Tropiques 273(3):43-54. However, there are still many problems. For example, in June 2001, over 70% of the seedlings grown in the flooded area were attacked and eaten by herbivorous caterpillars. Recently, many fish habitats have been in the tray circle, affecting seedlings grown in PVC pipes. |
| Keywords: |
Management
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Forestry
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Reforestation
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Rehabilitation
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Replanting
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Restoration
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Silviculture
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Conservation
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Environmental impact
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Environmental protection
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Threats
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Conversion
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Floods
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Human impact
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Geography
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Country
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Taiwan
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Regions
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West Pacific
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