Conservation of Xinhui wetland region: Sonneratia caseolaris Engl. nursery survival in Xinhui coastal district of Guangdong, South China Sea

The Xinhui regional authority embarked on ecological planning of the coastal wetland of South China that was predominantly covered with Acanthus ilicifolius Linn,. Aegiceras corniculatum, and Acanthus ilicifolius. The region experiences occasional and seasonal sea overflow and coastal erosion. These plants, being herbs, do not provide effective natural protection to the shoreline, and the need for introducing a non-predominant and robust plant was amply justified. The study site were planted with six weeks old nursery seedlings of Sonneratia caseolaris Engl. Short-term evaluation of the area 3754 x 50 m₂, subdivided into 4 plots was conducted based on samples collected at random every week (October 2004 to May 2005). Three weeks variance of sea overflow over the wetland was observed. Soil samples analysis (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) conformed to characteristic mangrove nursery survival. Comparison of Leaf Area Index across the plots showed significant differences in the early months (0.78 ± 0.15 to 0.95 ± 0.14) and later months (2.85 ± 0.23 to 4.35 ± 0.19). Growth variations across the plots of the last three months (2.2187 ± 0.09, 2.96 ± 0.26 and 4.75 ± 0.35) were significantly different. Overall nursery survival of (82%) and (18%) mortality rate were recorded. Further investigation is required to determine the coastal wind configuration of the region as well as long term sensitivity of individual species to disturbance.