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Abstract

English Abstract

The gray mangrove, Avicennia mari (Forsk.) Vierh, used for afforestation in the United Arab Emirates, grows slow along desert coastlines and adopts a dwarf growth habit. There is no river flow to the desert coast providing nutrients to the mangroves, unlike the situation in tropical rain regions. Aquaculture waste water, which is rich in nutrients, was examined to see whether it could be an adequate sustai ble fertilizer for growing gray mangroves in areas of afforestation. Experimental afforestation was conducted along the drai ge channel of fish culture tanks and ponds. This waste seawater had a significant effect on the growth of gray mangroves, and a dense artificial mangrove forest was established from initial seeding along the drai ge channel, without the need for any mainte nce. The soil under the forest was changed from the origi l beach sand to organic-rich fine sand by the activity of benthos inhabiting the intertidal zone under the mangroves. There were many insects in the forest and fish fry in the channel, and birds sought food around the forest area. These results indicate that a vital ecosystem can be created under sustai ble mainte nce when afforestation with gray mangrove is combined with aquaculture.