Survival and growth performances of some mangrove species replanted in the ex-agricultural land of the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar

The aim of this study is to clarify the survival and growth performances of six native mangrove species (Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera sexangula, Heritiera fomes, Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia apetala) that were replanted on abandoned paddy fields in the Ayeyarwady (AYWD) Delta of Myanmar where natural mangroves once existed. The findings indicate that low survival rate and poor growth of the trees can be attributed to both ground level and biotic disturbances. The growth of trees at low ground was obviously better than that of trees at high ground. At low ground, S. apetala demonstrated the best growth and R. apiculata had the highest survival rate. At high ground, the survival and growth rates of A. officinalis were the best. All the species replanted showed the highest increments of tree height from the middle of rainy season to the beginning of winter.