Mangrove Restoration Areas in Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

Apart from two 100 m test plots, mangrove restoration activities were conducted between 1999 and 2001. Each year, thousands of red mangrove propagules were planted in three large rectangular plots on the western side of Sugar Bay. In addition to those large plots, a fringe planting of propagules was conducted along much of the eastern shore of Sugar Bay. A small zone of black mangroves was also planted in 2001 although less than 1% survived long term. Detailed methods of restoration activities are available in Riley and Kent 1999 and SEA 2004. Restoration mangroves were not visible in the 2000 imagery due to the small size of individual seedlings. These plots were therefore delineated with the aid of GPS waypoints acquired by walking or kayaking around the perimeter of each plot. GPS positions were used as a guide to digitize the boundaries of the restoration areas and the results are presented.