Long-Term Assessment of an Innovative Mangrove Rehabilitation Project: Case Study on Carey Island, Malaysia

Abstract

Wave energy and storm surges threaten coastal ecology and nearshore infrastructures. Although coastal structures are conventionally constructed to dampen the wave energy, they introduce tremendous damage to the ecology of the coast. To minimize environmental impact, ecofriendly coastal protection schemes should be introduced. In this paper, we discuss an example of an innovative mangrove rehabilitation attempt to restore the endangered mangroves on Carey Island, Malaysia. A submerged detached breakwater system was constructed to dampen the energy of wave and trap the sediments behind the structure. Further, a large number of mangrove seedlings were planted using different techniques. Further, we assess the possibility of success for a future mangrove rehabilitation project at the site in the context of sedimentology, bathymetry, and hydrogeochemistry. The assessment showed an increase in the amount of silt and clay, and the seabed was noticeably elevated. The nutrient concentration, the pH value, and the salinity index demonstrate that the site is conducive in establishing mangrove seedlings. As a result, we conclude that the site is now ready for attempts to rehabilitate the lost mangrove forest.

From grey to green: Efficacy of eco‐engineering solutions for nature‐based coastal defence

“…More commonly, a hybrid eco-engineering approach to mangrove restoration was reported (Table S3). This involved planting in combination with a breakwater to facilitate sediment accumulation and wave attenuation for mangrove establishment (Hashim, Kamali, Tamin, & Zakaria, 2010;Motamedi, Hashim, Zakaria, Song, & Sofawi, 2014;Van Cuong, Brown, To, & Hockings, 2015). Although there are no studies on shoreline protection provided by seagrass and kelp restoration, tests of an artificial seaweed bed installed to promote build-up of a beach in the United Kingdom showed some accretion over its lifespan.…”

“…tion for mangrove establishment(Hashim, Kamali, Tamin, & Zakaria, 2010;Motamedi, Hashim, Zakaria, Song, & Sofawi, 2014;Van Cuong, Brown, To, & Hockings, 2015). Although there are no studies on shoreline protection provided by seagrass and kelp restoration,…”

Species composition and structure of degraded mangrove vegetation in the Air Telang Protected Forest, South Sumatra, Indonesia

“…The soil condition and tidal inundation determine the distribution of mangrove species (Strauch et al 2012). Mangrove forest vegetation structure and its distribution are also dependent on geomorphology and habitat changes (Cunha-Lignon et al 2009), because mangrove forest consists of unique plants that have morphological and physiological adaptability to the environmental changes (Chakraborty 2013;DasGupta and Shaw 2013;Motamedi et al 2014). Moreover, the anthropogenic activities in coastal wetlands also have an impact on the changes of structure and function of wetlands that leads to the loss of habitat, changes in hydrology and sedimentation, declining quality of water, as well as change of nutrient and pollutant dynamics that have an impact on composition change of mangrove forest vegetation (Lee et al 2006;Satyanarayana et al 2013).…”

Dampak Aktivitas Antropogenik Terhadap Degradasi Hutan Mangrove Di Indonesia

“…Ekosistem hutan mangrove memiliki tingkat produktivitas paling tinggi dibandingkan dengan ekosistem pesisir lainnya dan menyediakan perlindungan dan makanan bagi biota perairan berupa bahan-bahan organik yang penting dalam siklus hidup (tempat pemijahan/spawning ground, asuhan/nursery ground dan mencari makan/feeding ground) berbagai jenis ikan, udang dan moluska (Davies dan Claridge, 1993 dalam Noor et al, 2006;Hamzah dan Setiawan, 2010). Vegetasi hutan mangrove memiliki keunikan sebab mampu tumbuh meski terpapar gelombang dan salinitas air laut karena memiliki kemampuan adaptasi morfologi dan fisiologi yang unik (Chakraborty, 2013;DasGupta dan Shaw, 2013;Motamedi et al, 2014). Selain itu hutan mangrove merupakan pemasok bahan organik melalui produksi seresah, sehingga dapat menyuburkan perairan sekitarnya dengan menyediakan makanan untuk organisme yang hidup di perairan tersebut (Mann, 1982dalam Noor et al, 2006.…”