Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 142-151 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Southern forests |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 3-4 |
| Early online date | 8 Sept 2023 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Abstract
Mangrove forest ecosystems are critical natural resources, particularly in the South Pacific region. Mangrove forests in Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, are threatened by infrastructure development activities and population growth. Consequently, the protection and restoration of mangrove forest are of utmost importance. This study investigated the diversity and structure of mangrove forest on Viti Levu to determine the most appropriate species for use in restoration projects. These species could enhance the management of mangroves in Fiji. Five sites were selected: Ellington Wharf (EW), Naboutini Village (NV), Nasese (NA), Suva City Council Park (SCCP) and the University of the South Pacific Upper Campus (UUC). The variations in the number of tree stumps from site-tosite highlighted differences in the degree of anthropogenic disturbances, EW was classified as an undisturbed site while NA was highly disturbed. The sites were examined using systematic line transects with random starting points. Continuous belt transects were established, along which 10 m × 10 m segments were selected as the primary plots (n = 100 primary plots). Tree species, stand structure, tree diameter and height, stem abundance, stand volume, basal area and natural regeneration were recorded at all sites. Five mangrove species (Rhizophora stylosa Griff., Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam., Excoecaria agallocha (L.), Rhizophora samoensis (Hochr.) Salvoza, and Rhizophora × selala (Salvoza) Toml.) were identified. The species importance value indices were highest for R. stylosa at EW (264.0) and for B. gymnorhiza) at NV (175.2). All sites had at least some level of human disturbance but R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza thrived regardless of the extent of anthropogenic impacts. Subsequently, R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza are recommended for mangrove forest ecosystem restoration programmes in Fiji.
Keywords
- Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, forest structure, human disturbance, mangrove diversity, Rhizophora stylosa Griff, vegetation dynamics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Forestry
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In: Southern forests, Vol. 85, No. 3-4, 2023, p. 142-151.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Tree diversity, vegetation structure and management of mangrove systems on Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
AU - Rubaiyat, Ashik
AU - Rollings, Nicholas
AU - Galvin, Stephen
AU - Mitloehner, Ralph
AU - Miah, Sohag
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); Project: Transnational perspectives in biodiversity education and assessment in the SW Pacific; grant number: (DAAD-ID 57142690) and the University of the South Pacific (USP; Project: Tradition and Technology project of the University of the South Pacific; grant number: F7607-RI001-71502-01).
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Mangrove forest ecosystems are critical natural resources, particularly in the South Pacific region. Mangrove forests in Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, are threatened by infrastructure development activities and population growth. Consequently, the protection and restoration of mangrove forest are of utmost importance. This study investigated the diversity and structure of mangrove forest on Viti Levu to determine the most appropriate species for use in restoration projects. These species could enhance the management of mangroves in Fiji. Five sites were selected: Ellington Wharf (EW), Naboutini Village (NV), Nasese (NA), Suva City Council Park (SCCP) and the University of the South Pacific Upper Campus (UUC). The variations in the number of tree stumps from site-tosite highlighted differences in the degree of anthropogenic disturbances, EW was classified as an undisturbed site while NA was highly disturbed. The sites were examined using systematic line transects with random starting points. Continuous belt transects were established, along which 10 m × 10 m segments were selected as the primary plots (n = 100 primary plots). Tree species, stand structure, tree diameter and height, stem abundance, stand volume, basal area and natural regeneration were recorded at all sites. Five mangrove species (Rhizophora stylosa Griff., Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam., Excoecaria agallocha (L.), Rhizophora samoensis (Hochr.) Salvoza, and Rhizophora × selala (Salvoza) Toml.) were identified. The species importance value indices were highest for R. stylosa at EW (264.0) and for B. gymnorhiza) at NV (175.2). All sites had at least some level of human disturbance but R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza thrived regardless of the extent of anthropogenic impacts. Subsequently, R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza are recommended for mangrove forest ecosystem restoration programmes in Fiji.
AB - Mangrove forest ecosystems are critical natural resources, particularly in the South Pacific region. Mangrove forests in Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, are threatened by infrastructure development activities and population growth. Consequently, the protection and restoration of mangrove forest are of utmost importance. This study investigated the diversity and structure of mangrove forest on Viti Levu to determine the most appropriate species for use in restoration projects. These species could enhance the management of mangroves in Fiji. Five sites were selected: Ellington Wharf (EW), Naboutini Village (NV), Nasese (NA), Suva City Council Park (SCCP) and the University of the South Pacific Upper Campus (UUC). The variations in the number of tree stumps from site-tosite highlighted differences in the degree of anthropogenic disturbances, EW was classified as an undisturbed site while NA was highly disturbed. The sites were examined using systematic line transects with random starting points. Continuous belt transects were established, along which 10 m × 10 m segments were selected as the primary plots (n = 100 primary plots). Tree species, stand structure, tree diameter and height, stem abundance, stand volume, basal area and natural regeneration were recorded at all sites. Five mangrove species (Rhizophora stylosa Griff., Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam., Excoecaria agallocha (L.), Rhizophora samoensis (Hochr.) Salvoza, and Rhizophora × selala (Salvoza) Toml.) were identified. The species importance value indices were highest for R. stylosa at EW (264.0) and for B. gymnorhiza) at NV (175.2). All sites had at least some level of human disturbance but R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza thrived regardless of the extent of anthropogenic impacts. Subsequently, R. stylosa and B. gymnorhiza are recommended for mangrove forest ecosystem restoration programmes in Fiji.
KW - Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam
KW - forest structure
KW - human disturbance
KW - mangrove diversity
KW - Rhizophora stylosa Griff
KW - vegetation dynamics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85170558282&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2989/20702620.2023.2218560
DO - 10.2989/20702620.2023.2218560
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85170558282
VL - 85
SP - 142
EP - 151
JO - Southern forests
JF - Southern forests
SN - 2070-2620
IS - 3-4
ER -