Successful mangrove establishment along an artificially created tidal creek at Port Hedland, Western Australia
Paul L. A. Erftemeijer A D , Nicole Wylie B and Garnet J. Hooper C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B Pilbara Ports Authority, The Esplanade, Port Hedland, WA 6721, Australia.
C Marine Ecological Services (MES), 2/59 Tamar Street, Palmyra Perth, WA 6157, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: paul.erftemeijer@uwa.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 69(1) 134-143 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17139
Submitted: 16 May 17 Accepted: 2 August 17 Published: 12 September 2017
Abstract
There is growing interest in innovative ways to minimise the environmental footprint of port developments. Herein we present results of a mangrove planting trial along an artificial tidal creek at Port Hedland, Western Australia. A 75 m-long tidal creek with exposed sloping and terraced banks was constructed, creating ~1000 m2 of intertidal area in which 800 nursery-raised seedlings of four mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa, Ceriops australis and Aegiceras corniculatum) were transplanted. Planting followed a randomised block design to test seedling performance against tidal elevation, bank design and erosion protection. After 3 years, 142 seedlings (18%) had survived. Another 1171 mangrove seedlings, dominated by A. corniculatum (75%) and Aegitialis annulata (15%), had recruited naturally into the site. Performance and survival of planted and recruited seedlings was significantly affected by tidal elevation (P = 0.002), but not by bank design or erosion protection. A. marina showed highest survival (46%), followed by R. stylosa (18%). These results demonstrate that by creating appropriate environmental conditions conducive to mangrove growth, seedlings will recruit and establish naturally. Owing to the slow growth typical of semi-arid mangroves, it may take well over a decade before vegetation at this site is comparable to adjacent natural creeks.
Additional keywords: monitoring, natural recruitment, seedling performance, tidal hydrology.
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