STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH BARNACLES
IN MANGROVE RESTORATION


Gordon S. Maxwell¹& Li See-Wai²

¹Director, Ecosystem Research Centre, 180 Wires Road, R.D. 4 Paeroa,
Waikato, New Zealand
gmaxnz@ihug.co.nz
²Department of Ecology and Biodiversity,
The University of Hong Kong, China
and
Research Associate, Wires Road, R.D. 4 Paeroa, Waikato, New Zealand
cwaic@hotmail.com


Mangrove restoration has taken on a new relevance and urgency in the post-tsunami world. Barnacle infestation has become a challenge which can impede mangrove seedling survival, sapling robustness and ultimate mangrove ecosystem restoration success. This paper addresses some of the strategies to combat the barnacle threat. Biological attributes of specific mangrove species and pragmatic barnacle eradication measures related to the features of these key mangrove species are considered. Attention is also given to mangrove populations towards its biogeographic limits, as well as more core issues related to mainstream tropical mangrove stands. Finally, some pointers helpful in devastated and geomorhpologically disturbed sites associated with extreme climatic and/or geological events such as tsunamis, are provided.



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