THE RECOVERY OF A DEGRADED MANGROVE IN CEARÁ THROUGH THE PRODUCTION OF Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C.F. Gaertn. (Combretaceae) AND Avicennia sp. Stapf ex Ridl (Acanthaceae) SEEDLINGS

ABSTRACT The mangrove ecosystem performs several natural functions of great ecological and economic importance. This study provided procedures for the recovery of mangrove ecosystems through the characterization of vegetation and zonation patterns and evaluation of growth and survival rates of mangrove species in an experimental plantation. The study was performed in the Acaraú River estuary mangrove on the western coast of Ceará State. The characterization of vegetation was conducted with the use of multiple plots and transects replication. Plants were identified at the species level, and their heights and CBH (circumference at breast height) were measured in each plot. Seedlings of the dominant mangrove species were produced using estuarine propagules. Five mangrove species were sampled: Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, and Conocarpus erectus. L. racemosa was the most dominant and frequent species, followed by A. germinas. A total of 111 L. racemosa and 102 Avicennia sp seedlings of were produced. Seedlings were viable for replanting within two months. The results of the analysis of vegetation structure and production and growth of seedlings are encouraging and demonstrate that revegetation is not only possible but also successful in this significantly deforested and degraded mangrove.