Sonneratia alba - Pedada Bay (© Iloilo)
Reversion of abandoned Ponds to Mangroves
To attain the 4:1 mangrove-pond ratio required for ecological sustainability, there is need to focus on reverting abandoned ponds to mangroves. A pond inventory, based on satellite imagery and technical surveys of all fishponds, is conducted and fed into a central database. After determining tenurial status, policy recommendations are made regarding the ponds’ reversion into mangroves. Combined with the outcome of planting trials, a Mangrove Rehabilitation Plan is drawn up. This plan provides methodologies for physical (restoring of natural hydrology) and biological reversion (active planting of suitable species) of fishponds to mangrove areas.
- Supportive local government
- Sufficient scientific knowledge about mangrove processes or a mangrove area
- Translation of such knowledge into science-based protocols to guide pond-mangrove reversion
Planting is only the first step towards restoring mangroves. During the initial 1-2 year period, the plants are vulnerable to various manmade and natural stressors. Therefore maintenance and monitoring are two other major activities in mangrove rehabilitation, aside from bagging seeds or seedlings and planting proper.