Evaluation of mangrove rehabilitation and afforestation in the southern coasts of Iran

The increasing multiple ecosystem services of mangrove forests, especially in the coastal regions have high-lighted a need for conservation and afforestation of these forests. However, economic development and activities on the coasts have generated severe pollution issues that caused irreparable damages to the areas and quality of mangrove forests. As a result, rehabilitating the affected areas and forest planting are increasingly important, whereby some form of an assessment is needed to determine their sustainable performance and effectives. This study has used the indicators of forest resource sustainability, and the sustainability of planting sites to evaluate mangrove plantings in Iran's southern coast. Findings showed that there was a total of 47 mangrove planting sites on the coasts of the three provinces studied with an area of 9584.5 ha. There were 26 afforestation practice sites with an area of 5724 ha, and 21 combined rehabilitation and afforestation practice sites with an area of 3860.5 ha identified in this study. Approximately 76.6% of planting sites had been lost and the remaining areas had experienced an average density drop of 44%. Results of the stability class analysis revealed that 23 planting sites were in an extremely unsustainable state, 15 sites were considered as highly unsustainable, six sites were in a state of tendency to be unsustainable, whereas only three sites were regarded as sustainable. Findings from this study can assist managers and decision makers to review the site selection processes and pattern of successful planting sites, to facilitate better site selection and enhance the monitoring of mangrove rehabilitation or afforestation.

Automated summary

The increasing importance of mangrove forests in providing multiple ecosystem services, particularly in coastal regions, highlights the need for conservation and afforestation. However, economic development and activities along the coasts have led to severe pollution, causing irreversible damage to mangrove forests. This study evaluates the sustainability and effectiveness of mangrove plantings on Iran's southern coast using indicators of forest resource sustainability and planting site sustainability. The results show that a significant percentage of planting sites have been lost, with the remaining sites experiencing a decrease in density. Only a few sites are considered sustainable. The findings of this study can inform site selection processes and improve the monitoring of mangrove rehabilitation or afforestation.