TDA-IME Project Final Report June, 2013 project implementing agencies (particularly INGOs, NGOs and CBOs) have also displayed diverse interests, priorities and management approaches. Mangroves are rather easy species to plant, either as fruits or propagules collected directly from mature trees just before they fall, or as seedlings reared in dedicated nurseries. There are numerous reviews and technical manuals covering mangrove planting techniques in Asia by country and by species (e.g. Field, 1988; Lewis, 1998; Thinh et al., 2009; Quarto, 2012). However, merely planting mangrove propagules or seedlings does not guarantee that ecosystem integrity, or even a viable forest, will result. There have been many failed mangrove restoration attempts, particularly those initiated soon after the Asian tsunami of 2004. Failures have been due to various factors, with poor site selection, inappropriate species selection for planting, and failure to reconnect the planted area to its near original hydrological regime, being among the most common ones (MFF, 2012). The terms restoration and rehabilitation are commonly used as synonyms, whereas they have related (but quite distinct) meanings in senso stricto. Lewis (1990) defines restoration to be “specifically any process that aims to return a system to a pre-existing condition whether or not this was pristine.” Rehabilitation is a more general term used to “denote any activity that aims to convert a degraded system to a more stable condition” which may not be the same as its historical one. Critics of assisted restoration involving mangrove planting have advocated for natural or “ecological” restoration using a simple five step process explained by Lewis and Marshall (1997). This takes a strong ecosystem-based approach in recognizing that mangrove forests are part of a larger coastal ecosystem complex that includes other habitats and plant communities, including mud flats, sea grass beds and salt flats that might otherwise be considered of “low value” (Lewis, 1998). While the principles of natural restoration are sound, the time scale required is often much longer than local communities, or the projects and programs financing mangrove restoration, can afford. In an attempt to bridge the gap between waiting for nature, compared to the other extreme of planting mangrove seedlings in monoculture formation, some experts now recommend mimicking nature by e.g. planting seedlings in clusters around the remaining mature trees (e.g. Thinh, 2009). Among the numerous mangrove restoration/rehabilitation projects that have been supported, some have contributed substantially to improving coastal ecosystems and associated livelihoods. Yet many projects have also had disappointing results, and too many have simply planted mangrove seedlings without giving adequate attention to the wider ecosystem and socio-economic issues, such as management responsibilities and user rights. Overall, because of the highly project-oriented nature of most mangrove planting activities, there has been very little critical evaluation of the results, or compiling of the lessons learned. However, recently, an extensive review of experiences with mangrove restoration/rehabilitation, especially since the 2004 Asian tsunami, was conducted (MFF, 2012). This study identified the following actions to help ensure the successful restoration (or rehabilitation) of mangroves and their long-term management and sustainable use: Actions to Ensure Success Consultation with, followed by participation of local communities in all mangrove restoration, protection and management activities, with the aim of imparting knowledge, and providing technology transfer for mangrove restoration and sustainable management. 70
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of Indochina Mangrove Ecosystems
To see the actual publication please follow the link above