Mangrove restoration and sustainable development at Zhanjiang, South China

Based on investigating on the mangrove resources in Zhanjiang in 2001 and 2005, we found that there was only 7242.0 hm² of mangrove left. There are 24 plant species of mangrove in15 families in Zhanjiang. The area of mangrove in Zhanjiang had been decreased by 6363.6 hm² during the period of 1980 to 2001. On the whole,the area of mangrove in Zhanjiang was decreased markedly, mainly resulted by the aquatic farm,and it had affected the development of local society and economy. There were lots of mangrove community types and plant species in Zhanjiang. Besides native species in the mangrove of Zhanjiang,Sonneratia apetala is a successful exotic species,which had adapted the local environment well. On the other hand,the survival rate of artificial mangrove in Zhanjiang is low. At the moment,to make sustainable use of mangrove of Zhanjiang,the priority must be to protect all the existing wetlands of mangrove in situ by setting up natural reserves and prevent anthropogenic destruction,and put forward the scientific program of rehabilitating and making good use of mangroves. Furthermore,enhancing the monitoring on the mangrove ecosystem resources and education of protection of mangrove are urgently needed.