Effects of Arenicola marina on polychaete functional diversity revealed by large-scale experimental lugworm exclusion

The lugworm Arenicola marina was excluded from sandy sediment areas in the mid and low intertidal zone of the Wadden Sea. Exclusion, control and ambient plots were 400 m² each, replicated six times and sampled in August of three consecutive years. Responses were analysed with respect to functional trait groups in the associated polychaete assemblage using uni- and multivariate statistical techniques. Tube-building worms and predacious worms were most abundant in exclusion plots, while subsurface deposit feeders tended to dominate in the presence of lugworms. Lugworm effects were stronger in low intertidal fine sand than in mid intertidal medium sand. In the third year, lugworm densities strongly decreased at the study site. Nevertheless the polychaete functional group composition in lugworm exclusion plots still significantly differed from that in control and ambient plots. We assume that the permanent exclusion of lugworms may have entailed a cumulative change in sediment properties in the exclusion plots. Overall, lugworm effects were highly dependent on space and time as well as on differential recruitment success in this intertidal polychaete assemblage. Sediment-mediated effects of an ecosystem engineer on associated species appear to be subtle and contingent in variable environments.     

Impact of lugworms (Arenicola marina) on mobilization and transport of fine particles and organic matter in marine sediments

We investigated the impact of sediment reworking fauna and hydrodynamics on mobilization and transport of organic matter and fine particles in marine sediments. Experiments were conducted in an annular flume using lugworms (Arenicola marina) as model organisms. The impact of lugworms on sediment characteristics and particle transport was followed through time in sediments experimentally enriched with fine particles (< 63 μm) and organic matter. Parallel experiments were run at low and high water current velocity (11 and 25 cm s^− 1) to evaluate the importance of sediment erosion at the sediment–water interface. There was no impact of fauna on sediment composition and particle transport at current velocity below the sediment erosion threshold. At current velocity above the erosion threshold, sediment reworking by lugworms resulted in dramatic particle transport (12 kg dry matter m^− 2) to an adjacent particle trap within 56 days. The transported matter was enriched 6–8 times in fine particles and organic matter when compared to the initial sediment. This study suggests that sediment reworking fauna is an important controlling factor for the particle composition of marine sediments. A. marina mediated sediment reworking greatly increases the sediment volume exposed to hydrodynamic forcing at the sediment–water interface, and through sediment resuspension control the content of fine particles and organic matter in the entire reworked sediment layer (> 20 cm depth).     

Factors affecting PAH residues in the lugworm Arenicola marina, a sediment feeding polychaete

Being a sediment feeder, the lugworm Arenicola marina could be a suitable candidate organism for the biomonitoring of sediment-bound contaminants in intertidal areas. Since lugworms are only rarely used in environmental monitoring, little is known about the natural variation in their body residue levels. In this study, we assessed the importance of seasonal fluctuations, spatial variation and sexual development to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residues in lugworms. Over a period of 15 months, lugworms were sampled along a contamination gradient in the Western Scheldt estuary in the Netherlands. A clear seasonal pattern in the body residue levels of PAH was observed, with lowest levels in March and highest levels just prior to the spawning season in September. During the spawning season the body residue levels showed a marked decrease. Although this seasonal pattern is apparently related to the reproductive cycle of the lugworm, no clear differences in body residue levels were found between animals with or without developed gonads. The contamination gradient, present in the estuary, was clearly reflected in the body residue levels of PAH. The expected gradient of internal concentrations was, however, absent in October, when the spawning period was not yet finished. The variation in lugworm body residue levels was smaller than the fluctuations in sediment PAH levels. It can be concluded that the lugworm is a suitable organism for the biomonitoring of sediment-bound contaminants, provided that attention is paid to its reproductive cycle.     

Sediment modification by seagrass beds: Muddification and sandification induced by plant cover and environmental conditions

Seagrasses are well-known ecosystem engineers. They reduce water dynamics and sediment resuspension, and trap fine sediments. However, exceptions of this paradigm have been reported. To test whether these exceptions could be related to plant cover and environmental conditions, we investigated sediment modification under influence of seagrass presence in various annual eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds with varying plant cover and sediment composition.     

Bioturbation effects of Corophium volutator: Importance of density and behavioural activity

Bioturbation is one of the major processes influencing ecosystem functioning. Population parameters such as species density, burrow density and species-specific life modes, determine the impact of bioturbation on the ecosystem. A laboratory experiment was developed, using microcosms mimicking a marine intertidal sediment–water interface which allowed for quantification of different population parameters. The vertical redistribution, bioturbation rate and maximum penetration depth of two sizes (41 and 129 μm) of luminophores were measured in five treatments (control, low density of burrows with and without Corophium (1989 ind./m²), and high density of burrows with and without Corophium (14,921 ind./m²)) after 1, 7 and 14 days. Results indicate that the behavioural activities of Corophium are of the utmost importance in sediment reworking, since they contributed to a five-fold increase in bioturbation rate compared to the passive transport induced by the static structure of the burrows. Furthermore, density is an important parameter because only high densities play a prominent role in particle transport and hence in organic matter processing, while the role of low Corophium densities is limited in sediment reworking. No evidence for differentiation in sediment size fractions was observed. Finally, bioturbation rates in this study were low compared to other studies, and these results suggest an influence of the tidal rhythmicity in the behavioural activity of Corophium on the bioturbation rate.     

Contrasting effects of ecosystem engineering by the cordgrass Spartina maritima and the sandprawn Callianassa kraussi in a marine-dominated lagoon

Ecosystem engineering by plants and animals significantly influences community structure and the physico-chemical characteristics of marine habitats. In this paper we document the contrasting effects of ecosystem engineering by the cordgrass Spartina maritima and the burrowing sandprawn Callianassa kraussi on physico-chemical characteristics, microflora, macrofaunal community structure and morphological attributes in the high shore intertidal sandflats of Langebaan Lagoon, a marine-dominated system on the west coast of South Africa. Comparisons were made at six sites in the lagoon within Spartina and Callianassa beds, and in a “bare zone” of sandflat between these two habitats that lacks both sandprawns and cordgrass. Sediments in Spartina habitats were consolidated by the root-shoot systems of the cordgrass, leading to low sediment penetrability, while sediments in beds of C. kraussi were more penetrable, primarily due to the destabilising effects of sandprawn bioturbation. Sediments in the “bare zone” had intermediate to low values of penetrability. Sediment organic content was lowest in bare zones and greatest in Spartina beds, while sediment chl-a levels were greatest on bare sand, but were progressively reduced in the Spartina and Callianassa beds. These differences among habitats induced by ecosystem engineering in turn affected the macrofauna. Community structure was different between all three habitats sampled, with species richness being surprisingly greater in Callianassa beds than either the bare zone or Spartina beds. In general, the binding of surface sediments by the root systems of Spartina favoured rigid-bodied, surface-dwelling and tube-building species, while the destabilising effect of bioturbation by C. kraussi favoured burrowing species. The contrasting effects of these ecosystem engineers suggest that they play important roles in increasing habitat heterogeneity. Importantly, the role of bioturbation by C. kraussi in enhancing macrofaunal richness was unexpected. By loosening sediments, reducing anoxia and enhancing organic content, C. kraussi may engineer these high shore habitats to ameliorate environmental stresses or increase food availability.     

Distribution and abundance of Abarenicola affinis (Arenicolidae,Polychaeta) in tidal inlets of Otago,New Zealand

Lugworms are important members of the macrobenthos of sheltered intertidal sediments, and this study assessed the abundance and distribution of Abarenicola affinis in Otago, southern New Zealand. Using a faecal cast:lugworm ratio (1.00:1.09) revealed a patchy distribution across inlets, with an overall mean abundance of 11.1 individuals/m² (range: 3.8 to 21.3 individuals/m²). Distribution patterns varied among inlets, with lugworms mostly confined to the high intertidal zone, but spread across all intertidal zones in one inlet. The lugworm habitat was characterised by muddy to medium sand (55–233 µm mean grain size) with low organic matter (< 2%) and chlorophyll a (1–12 µg/g dry sediment) contents. Depending on the inlet, lugworm abundance was related to sediment parameters, indicating that their distribution across Otago inlets is habitat dependent. The present findings also indicate that factors other than those measured contribute to A. affinis distribution and abundance patterns in this region.     

The origin of water‐borne diamictons and their relation to turbidites

The term “diamicton” has recently been proposed as a non‐genetic name for any non‐calcareous terrigenous sediment containing a wide variety of grain sizes; the lithified equivalent is a “diamictite.” The present paper deals with the origin and classification of water‐borne diamictons. The latter have been divided by the writer into three groups: Group I. Diamictons with the coarse and fine fractions deposited simultaneously. Group II. Diamictons with the coarse and fine fractions deposited separately. Group III. Diamictons with the fine fraction derived from the coarse fraction by diagenetic alteration in place.

Group I diamictons have been divided into the following types: (i) P‐diamictons, in which the fine fraction was deposited from true suspension (the coarser material being transported by suspension, saltation, or traction), (ii) M—diamictons, in which the fine (and coarse) fractions were deposited from mudflows. (iii) K‐diamictons, in which the fine fractions were deposited in the form of discrete sand‐size or pebble‐size fragments composed of lutite.

Group II diamictons have been divided into the following types: (i) S‐diamictons, consisting of coarse and fine layers mixed by gravity, (ii) B‐diamictons, consisting of coarse and fine layers mixed by bioturbation.

Group III diamictons, which have not been subdivided, are called D‐diamictons. P‐, M‐, and S‐diamictons have been further subdivided, and the different varieties are discussed The scheme of classification and selected examples of diamictons and diamictites are given in appropriate tables.     

Sedimentological parameters and erosion behaviour of submarine coastal sediments in the south-western Baltic Sea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the erodibility of submarine coastal sediments for the purpose of modelling sediment dynamics in Mecklenburg Bay, south-western Baltic Sea. Erosion thresholds derived from experiments with a device microcosm on cores of fine sand (n=5, mean grain size=132 µm) and mud (n=5, medium silt size, mean=21 µm), collected at different times of the year, were compared to theoretical critical shear stress velocities based on grain-size measurements. For this purpose, a sedimentological map of natural surface sediments was constructed for the study area. Calculated values for critical shear stress velocities (u* _{cr-Hjulström} ) are 1.2 cm s^?1 for fine sand, and 3.75 cm s^?1 for cohesive mud. At the mud station, erosion experiments showed an initial transport of the fluffy surface layer (u* _cr-initial ) at a mean critical shear stress velocity of 0.39 cm s^?1. Initial rolling transport at the fine sand station for single sand grains was recorded at values of 0.5 cm s^?1. At higher shear stress velocities, the two sediment types showed diverging erosion behaviour. Measurable erosion (ε>5.0×10^?6 kg m^?2 s^?1) of fine sand starts at a mean critical shear stress velocity (u* _cr-erosion ) of 1.15 cm s^?1 whereas fluffy surface material on mud cores was eroded at mean u* _cr-erosion of 0.62 cm s^?1. This indicates that measured erosion thresholds at the fine sand site fit well to calculated critical shear stress velocities whereas calculated erosion thresholds for cohesive mud are roughly 6 times higher than measured values. As erosion behaviour at the mud station was dominated by fluffy surface material, the comparability of measured and calculated threshold values may be reduced. The underlying silt-sized sediment itself was stable due to cohesive effects. This behaviour has to be taken into consideration by using sediment types instead of mean grain sizes for mapping and modelling sediment dynamics. A comparison of the near-bottom hydrodynamic conditions in the study area and experimentally derived critical shear stress velocities suggests that particle transport is controlled by storm events whereas under calm conditions shear stress velocities do not exceed the critical values.     

Effect of macrofaunal bioturbation on bacterial distribution in marine sandy sediments, with special reference to sulphur-oxidising bacteria

We have studied the impact of the bioturbating macrofauna, in particular the lugworm Arenicola marina and the bivalve Cerastoderma edule, on abundances and distribution patterns of total bacteria and of bacteria of selected functional groups in sandy intertidal sediments. The selected groups comprised the colourless sulphur-oxidising bacteria and the anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, which are expected to occupy small zones at the oxygen–sulphide interface in stable (non-bioturbated) sediments. The presence of a wooden wreck buried in the sediment at 10 cm depth within a large area of intertidal sand flat colonised by lugworms provided a unique opportunity to confront field observations with laboratory simulations. The site with the wooden wreck, which was used as control site, was devoid of both A. marina and C. edule, while the composition of the rest of the zoobenthic community was rather similar to that of the surrounding area. In the field, the density of total bacteria was approximately one order of magnitude higher in the control site than in the natural (bioturbated) site. This can be explained by the higher contents of silt and clay particles (higher surface-area/volume ratio) and higher total organic-carbon contents found at the control site. It appears that the presence of macrofauna affects sedimentation processes, which indirectly influence bacterial dynamics. Samples from the control site have been incubated in the laboratory with A. marina and C. edule added (bioturbated core), while an unamended core served as a control. The laboratory experiments contrasted with the field observations, because it was found that total bacteria were actually higher in the deeper layers of the bioturbated core. Moreover, the populations were more homogeneous (less stratified) and colourless sulphur bacteria were on average less numerous in the bioturbated core. In general, laboratory incubations resulted in a decrease of total bacteria with a concomitant increase of colourless and phototrophic sulphur-oxidising bacteria and thus in modifications of the bacterial community structure. Hence, our results demonstrate that care must be taken in extrapolating results from laboratory experiments (e.g. mesocosm research) to field situations.     

Pseudo-cryptic species Arenicola defodiens and Arenicola marina (Polychaeta: Arenicolidae) in Wadden Sea,North Sea and Skagerrak: Morphological and molecular variation

The polychaete Arenicola defodiens, or black lug, was recently described as a morphologically highly similar species alongside the blow lug Arenicola marina. So far it was only known from the British Isles. A double spawning peak was observed earlier in lugworms of the western Wadden Sea. Here, we test the hypothesis that the two spawning peaks represent the two species in sympatry. This hypothesis is refuted on the basis of both morphological and mitochondrial DNA data; both spawning peaks are attributed to A. marina. In spite of this, we confirm, on the basis of new collections as well as re-examination of museum collections, the presence of A. defodiens in the western Wadden Sea, North Sea and also the Skagerrak; its distribution is restricted to habitats which are either submerged or have short emersion times, have relatively coarse sediments and high and stable salinities. Sympatry is common. The species differ strongly in the mitochondrial DNA fragment examined; the observed 14% uncorrected minimum difference amounts to an estimated 33–63 million years since sequence divergence. The amount of intraspecific molecular variation is larger for A. defodiens than for A. marina. This is evidence to suggest that A. marina may have undergone more recent and/or more severe population size bottlenecks.     

缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)生物扰动对养殖废水处理系统中沉积物磷赋存形态垂直分布的影响

为研究缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)生物扰动在养殖废水生态处理系统中对沉积物不同垂直分层的各种磷形态迁移转化的影响,于2016年5—7月在养殖废水处理池的贝藻处理区采集不同缢蛏养殖密度下的实验围隔箱内的底泥,测定不同垂直方向上的磷形态、微生物活性(FDA)以及碱性磷酸酶活性(APA)。结果表明,在底栖动物缢蛏生物扰动作用下,改变了沉积物内部的微环境,促进了微生物的生长,增大了沉积物中总微生物活性以及碱性磷酸酶活性。而沉积物中有机磷(OP)含量显著减少(P0.05);非磷灰石态无机磷(NAIP)、磷灰石态无机磷(AP)和无机磷(IP)含量显著增加(P0.05),这表明在缢蛏的生物扰动下OP可能转变成为AP、NAIP等无机磷成分;总磷含量呈降低趋势。本试验结果表明,缢蛏生物扰动下对于养殖废水生态处理系统沉积物垂直方向上的磷赋存形态具有显著的影响,且高密度组的生物扰动作用对沉积物中磷形态迁移转化的影响强于低密度组。     

Negative effects of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Flensborg fjord,Denmark

The effect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds was studied from June 2004 to July 2005 in Flensborg fjord, Denmark. The field experiments were conducted at two stations, one with only Z. marina (Eelgrass station) present and one where M. edulis were present in the Z. marina beds (Mixed station). Zostera marina parameters were measured (growth of leaves, shoot density, leaf length, and nutrient content) in combination with epiphyte cover and sediment parameters (sulphate reduction rates, sediment nutrient fluxes, organic content, C, N and P content) to examine possible positive and negative effects of the mussels on eelgrass performance. The fluxes of ammonium from the sediments were stimulated at all sampling dates at the Mixed station, and possibly stimulated epiphyte growth at this station. Further ¹⁵N signals in epiphytes from the Mixed station suggested that excretion products from the mussels were important nitrogen sources at this station. Sulphate reduction rates were enhanced at the Mixed station and also sediment sulphide concentrations increased under mussel influence, which may have resulted in sulphide toxicity and decreased growth of Z. marina at this station. The study indicates that for Z. marina beds in Flensborg Fjord the effects of M. edulis in seagrass beds are primarily negative, and raises the question whether this leads to negative effects on the stability and expansion of Z. marina beds.     

Trapping of fine sediment in a semi-enclosed bay, Palau, Micronesia

Airai Bay, Palau, is a small (3 km²), semi-enclosed, mangrove-fringed, meso-tidal, coral lagoon on the southeast coast of Palau. It drains a small catchment area (26 km²) of highly erodible soils in an area with high annual rainfall (3.7 m). River floods are short-lived and the sediment load is very large, with suspended fine sediment concentration exceeding 1500 mg l⁻¹. The resulting river plume is about 2 m thick. The brackish water residence time is about 7 days; during this period the plume remains a distinct surface feature even after river runoff has ceased. About 98% of the riverine fine sediment settles in Airai Bay, of which about 15–30% is deposited in the mangroves during river floods. This mud remains trapped in Airai Bay because the bay is protected from ocean swells and the tidal currents and locally generated wind waves are too small to resuspend the mud in quantity. The mud is smothering coral reefs, creating a phase shift from coral to fleshy algae dominance, and is even changing habitats by creating mud banks. The persistence of Airai Bay marine resources may not be possible without improved soil erosion control in the river catchment.     

Geochemical tracers of northern Portuguese estuarine sediments on the shelf

The northern Portuguese coastal zone is drained by large Iberian rivers, along which there is intensive industrial, agricultural and urban activity. Offshore of the two main river basins of the Douro and Minho, two fine-grained sedimentary formations can be characterised. A geochemical study of this sediment cover has been performed focussing in particular on the fine deposits and the adjacent estuaries. The chemical composition of superficial sediments collected from the northern Portuguese shelf and from the river basins of the Minho and Douro rivers was determined for major, minor and trace elements; the rare earth elements (REE) composition was also determined in selected samples. Statistical analyses of these data for the shelf sediments allow us to identify elements with similar behaviours and the different sediment types along the shelf, and to evaluate of their origins. Downcore profiles of the chemical composition of the fine sediments reveal no evidence for changes induced by recent human activities. To assess the influence of the rivers on the fine sedimentary formations, the elemental distribution patterns of selected sediments have been compared with the estuarine sediments. Lithogenic elements composition normalised to Al and the shale normalised REE distributions showed there are similarities between the Douro River sediments and the sediment composition of the Douro and Galicia mud patches. However, the Galicia mud field showed no relationship in its chemical composition to sediments derived from the Minho River. Nor was any evidence for heavy metal contamination originating from the Douro estuary detected in anthropogenic element/Al ratios in the shelf sediments. This may be because of processes associated with resuspension, complexation and bioturbation that occur during sediment transport and deposition. Nevertheless, the Douro River seems to be the main continental source of fine sediments being deposited on the northern Portuguese shelf.     

The role of current velocity in structuring eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows

Measurements of velocity profiles, bathymetry, and surface sediment characteristics across eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows yielded information on community development processes and functional attributes of this ecosystem. Height/length ratios of the meadows were positively correlated with tidal current velocity. Low, medium, and high current regimes were separated by surface current velocities of approximately 50 and 90 cm s^?1. Z. marina can tolerate approximately 120–150 cm/sec current velocities in the areas studied. Per cent silt-clay and organic matter content of the surface sediments are negatively associated with shear velocity, suggesting that meadows in high current areas are sources while meadows in low current areas are sinks of autochthonous detritus. Current velocity maintains seagrass meadows at different equilibrium levels (relative climaxes). We theorize these different equilibrium levels provide unequal habitat utilization potentials for the associated faunal community.     

Sediment segregation by biodiffusing bivalves

The selective processing of sediment fractions (sand and mud; >63 μm and ≤63 μm median grain size) by macrofauna was assessed using two size classes of inert, UV-fluorescent sediment fraction tracers (luminophores). The luminophores were applied to the sediment surface in 16 m² replicated plots, defaunated and control, and left to be reworked by infauna for 32 days. As the macrofaunal assemblage in the ambient sediment and the control plots was dominated by the common cockle Cerastoderma edule, this species was used in an additional mesocosm experiment. The diversity, abundance and biomass of the defaunated macrobenthic assemblage did not return to control values within the experimental period. Both erosion threshold and bed elevation increased in the defaunated plots as a response to the absence of macrofauna and an increase in microphytobenthos growth. In the absence of macrobenthos, we observed an accretion of 7 mm sediment, containing ca. 60% mud. Image analysis of the vertical distribution of the different luminophore size classes showed that the cockles preferentially mobilised fine material from the sediment, thereby rendering it less muddy and effectively increasing the sand:mud ratio. Luminophore profiles and budgets of the mesocosm experiment under “no waves–no current” conditions support the field data very well.     

黄河三角洲关键种泥螺Bullacta exarata对沉积物-水体界面溶解氧和营养盐通量的影响

泥螺自2001因养殖目的引入黄河三角洲以来,随着分布范围的扩大和种群数量的增长,已成为当地潮间带的关键种。泥螺给当地民众带来较高收入,但其对底栖生态系统的潜在影响还不清楚。为了明确该种群的生物扰动对底栖微藻和微生物的初级生产,以及对水体-沉积物界面营养盐交换的影响,开展了该项实验。结果表明,在光照条件下,泥螺能显著影响沉积物-水体界面的溶解氧DO通量;在黑暗及无生物处理组的恢复期,泥螺能显著增加两界面间氨氮的通量。底栖微藻和小型生物在黑暗条件下也能增加氨氮的通量;但在有光照条件下,上述微藻和小型底栖动物对沉积物-水体界面间溶解氧和氨氮通量的影响不明显。实验结果为更深入理解泥螺对生态系统的影响提供重要理论支持。     

Influence of Naineris laevigata (Polychaeta: Orbiniidae) on vertical grain size distribution,and dinoflagellate resting stages in the sediment

Short-term experiments were performed with the polychaete Naineris laevigata Grube, a conveyor-belt deposit feeder, to evaluate: the daily sediment reworking rate, the influence of the activity of this burrowing worm on the vertical redistribution of the sediment and dinoflagellate cysts. We also tested the germination success of cysts after their passage through the gut of the polychaete. Vertical particle distribution was studied in small aquaria with and without worms and with an initially layered sediment. After 30 days, sediment cores were collected in controls and treatments at 3 different depths (upper, intermediate and deep) and the diameter of 100 particles from each depth was measured to obtain the size-frequency distribution. The burrowing activity of 3 worms may completely mix a pre-existent layering within 30 days. The translocation of a mud layer from 4 cm depth towards the surface was observed. The mud layer deposited on the surface by the end of the experiment was at least 1 cm thick.Daily average production of faecal pellets was 0.443±0.032 g per worm. From the first day of the experiment, the particle size distribution of the faecal pellets released at the surface revealed the presence of sediment and cysts originating from underlying layers. Tests showed that the germination percentage of the cysts significantly diminished after passage through the guts of the worms.Our results indicate that N. laevigata is an effective vertical mixer of sediment and plays a role in the vertical transport and germination success of resting stages.     

Establishment of Avicennia marina mangroves on accreting coastline at Sungai Haji Dorani, Selangor, Malaysia

Avicennia marina saplings were established within a restoration area at Sg. Hj. Dorani, Malaysia between May and August 2010. Sapling establishment was achieved following the construction of segmented and hard breakwater as mitigating measure against coastal erosion. Geostructures known as brush faschines were installed within the restoration area as secondary sediment and seed traps. There was a steady increase in the sand content of the soil from 5% in November 2008 to 18% in May 2010. The dominant soil content was silt but it fluctuated and declined slightly over the same period, between 80% in November 2008 and 72% in May 2010. The accreting shoreline behind the breakwater had stabilised within 18 months. Subsequently, the first batch of A. marina wild seedlings or wildings was established on the mud surface in September 2009. Only about 10% of these wildings survived and showed high survival rate (90%) over the next eight months. Wildings that were naturally established near mother trees showed good growth performance. No wilding was established after the fruiting season in August 2010 as all seeds that were dispersed into the restoration area were washed away by September 2010. Tall, A. marina wild saplings (1 m) planted within the restoration area showed higher survival rate (80%) compared to planted saplings of Rhizophora apiculata (30%). Final planting of a thousand 1 m tall A. marina wild saplings was carried out from June 2010, in clumps of 20 and in 1 m × 1 m spacing. By the end of September 2010 clusters of regenerating A. marina mangroves about 1.5 m tall were successfully established on the accreting coastline.