Articles
NURSERY PROPAGATION OF JAMAICAN COASTAL FOREST SPECIES
Article number
894_20
Pages
185 – 190
Language
English
Abstract
The impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on the depletion of coastal forest is quite noticeable in the Caribbean.
Coastal pressure has resulted in the depletion of 50% of the worlds original coastal forest areas.
The project was therefore designed to establish a nursery for the production of coastal forest species; the first phase being the production of mangrove seedlings.
Methodologies for naturally occurring Jamaican mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle – red mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa – white mangrove, Avicennia germinans – black mangrove and Conocarpus erectus – button mangrove) were developed.
Seedling production (indicated by successful germination) in the nursery was compared to that established plots in the forest.
Red mangrove seedling production increased from 10% in the forest to 93% in the nursery and the best nursery conditions were achieved in conditions of low salinity and low light.
Germination reduced by approximately half in nursery conditions of high light and high salinity.
Button and Black mangroves showed similar survival in the nursery as in the forest but black mangrove seedling survival is improved by replanting in areas not affected by tidal flushing.
Coastal pressure has resulted in the depletion of 50% of the worlds original coastal forest areas.
The project was therefore designed to establish a nursery for the production of coastal forest species; the first phase being the production of mangrove seedlings.
Methodologies for naturally occurring Jamaican mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle – red mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa – white mangrove, Avicennia germinans – black mangrove and Conocarpus erectus – button mangrove) were developed.
Seedling production (indicated by successful germination) in the nursery was compared to that established plots in the forest.
Red mangrove seedling production increased from 10% in the forest to 93% in the nursery and the best nursery conditions were achieved in conditions of low salinity and low light.
Germination reduced by approximately half in nursery conditions of high light and high salinity.
Button and Black mangroves showed similar survival in the nursery as in the forest but black mangrove seedling survival is improved by replanting in areas not affected by tidal flushing.
Authors
C.A. Trench, M.K. Webber
Keywords
coastal forests, mangrove species, nursery, germination, seedlings
Online Articles (31)