Evaluation of the growth sustaining attributes of Rhizophora mucronata Lam. for strategic afforestation protocols

Afforestation program on mangroves primarily require reliable information on the growth requirements of the targeted mangrove species. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the hydrogeochemical, sedimentological and climatological conditions ideal for the growth and establishment of the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata Lam. in pursuit of their afforestation practices. Estimation of the physicochemical characteristics of water and soil / sediment along with climatological attributes from three heterogeneous habitats falling in the coastal environments of Kerala was monitored monthly for a period of one year for deriving conclusions regarding the growth requirements of R. mucronata Lam. Statistical analysis revealed the most vital attributes of water which influence the growth of R. mucronata are water pH, TSS, resistivity, alkalinity and potassium and also in sedimentological characteristics such as silt %, organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium and sodium without any significant variation. The study as a whole reported the capability of R. mucronata to cope up with different hydrological and sedimentological conditions in terms of tolerance or augmented range, which will form a basis for future afforestation initiatives.