Restoration of mangroves at Balandra Lagoon

Restoration of mangroves at Restoration of mangroves at Balandra LagoonBalandra Lagoon

2006

One of the two lagoons of BalandraOne of the two lagoons of Balandra

MANGROVE FORESTMANGROVE FOREST

La Paz - 25 KmLa Paz - 25 Km

The second lagoon at BalandraThe second lagoon at Balandra

Mostly covered with mangrove forestMostly covered with mangrove forest

Part of the deforested area in 1994Part of the deforested area in 1994(Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)(Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)

Part of the deforested area in 1994Part of the deforested area in 1994(Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)(Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)

The deforested area did not The deforested area did not regenerate itself for several yearsregenerate itself for several years

The solution:The solution:

Reforestation by nursery-reared trees Reforestation by nursery-reared trees planted in strategic places in the right planted in strategic places in the right

habitathabitat

Native propagules Native propagules (propagation units)(propagation units) of black of black mangrove as a source for the nurserymangrove as a source for the nursery

AERIAL ROOTS OF BLACK MANGROVES -- AERIAL ROOTS OF BLACK MANGROVES -- WHERE THE MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IS INTENSEWHERE THE MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IS INTENSE

LAGOONLAGOON

MUDUndergrouUndergrou

ndnd

sectionsectionToledo et al. 1995. Toledo et al. 1995. Cyanobacteria and black mangroves Cyanobacteria and black mangroves in Northwestern Mexico: colonization, and diurnal and seasonal in Northwestern Mexico: colonization, and diurnal and seasonal nitrogen fixation on aerial roots. nitrogen fixation on aerial roots.

Canadian Journal of Microbiology 41: 999-1011Canadian Journal of Microbiology 41: 999-1011

COLONIZATION (biofilm) OF THE SURFACE OF COLONIZATION (biofilm) OF THE SURFACE OF THE AERIAL ROOT OF BLACK MANGROVETHE AERIAL ROOT OF BLACK MANGROVE

Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995

Anabaen

Anabaen

aa

Filamentous Filamentous CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria

bacteriabacteria

1 1 COMPLETELY HIDDEN ROOT SURFACECOMPLETELY HIDDEN ROOT SURFACE

COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) WITH COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) WITH THE CYANOBACTERIATHE CYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus Microcoleus sp. sp.

BOTTOM OF ERLENMEYER FLASKBOTTOM OF ERLENMEYER FLASK

ROOTSROOTS

CYANOBACTERIA CYANOBACTERIA COLONIESCOLONIES

Toledo et al. Toledo et al. 1995. In vitro colonization and increase in 1995. In vitro colonization and increase in nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated by a filamentous cyanobacteria. by a filamentous cyanobacteria. Canadian Journal of MicrobiologyCanadian Journal of Microbiology 41:41:1012-10201012-1020

COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE CYANOBACTERIACYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus Microcoleus sp. sp.

Toledo et al. 1995. In vitro colonization and increase in nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove Toledo et al. 1995. In vitro colonization and increase in nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated by a filamentous cyanobacteria. inoculated by a filamentous cyanobacteria. Canadian Journal of MicrobiologyCanadian Journal of Microbiology 41:41:1012-10201012-1020

Root surfaceRoot surface

100 100

COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE CYANOBACTERIACYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus Microcoleus sp. sp.

Root surfaceRoot surface

Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995

10

10

Nursery-reared black mangroveNursery-reared black mangrove

Measuring the current in the Measuring the current in the reforested areareforested area

Strategic site was found, a shallow Strategic site was found, a shallow channel drained both deforested areaschannel drained both deforested areas

Inner lagoonInner lagoon

Exit of channel fromExit of channel fromreforested sitereforested site

The reforested site is The reforested site is located in the main located in the main drainage channel in drainage channel in the two deforested the two deforested areas.areas.

Once the trees grow, Once the trees grow, we hope that their we hope that their foliage, submerged in foliage, submerged in the water at high tide, the water at high tide, will trap floating will trap floating propagules and allow propagules and allow more trees to grow in more trees to grow in the area.the area.

Reforested areaReforested area

Sand duneSand dune

Reforestation at low tideReforestation at low tide

Reforesting the strategic areaReforesting the strategic area

The site was “protected” from beach visitors by a deep trench filled with soft silt

At plantingAt planting

One day later. Passing the first tides under field conditions

One day later. Passing the first tides under field conditions

One year laterOne year later

Two years laterTwo years later

Four and more years laterFour and more years later

The reforested area accumulated organic debris and trapped floating propagules

This allows establishment of floating propagules in the area

Consequently, the reforested area gained many more new trees than we planted

The reforested area accumulated organic debris and trapped floating propagules

This allows establishment of floating propagules in the area

Consequently, the reforested area gained many more new trees than we planted

In 1995, general view of one deforested areaIn 1995, general view of one deforested area

In 2006, general view of reforested areaIn 2006, general view of reforested area

Ground view of deforested area in 1995Ground view of deforested area in 1995

Ground view of reforested area in 2006Ground view of reforested area in 2006

General view of the second deforested areas in 1995

General view of the second deforested areas in 1995

In 2006, general view of the same area after reforestation

In 2006, general view of the same area after reforestation

Wildlife returns to the reforested areas

Wildlife returns to the reforested areas

Wildlife returns to the reforested areas: fish, the major economic contribution of mangroves

Wildlife returns to the reforested areas: fish, the major economic contribution of mangroves

Juvenile fish

Fully reforested areas are returned to public recreation activities

Fully reforested areas are returned to public recreation activities

Photographed by: Photographed by: Yoav Yoav BashanBashan

Presentation by:Presentation by:

Juan Pablo HernandezJuan Pablo Hernandez