STRATEGIES FOR MANGROVE REHABILITATION IN AN ERODED COASTLINE OF SELANGOR, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

Continuous mangrove ecosystem degradation and coastal erosion is observed along the coastline of Sungai
Haji Dorani, (N 03038’36.6”; E 101000’37.3” to N 03038’37.9”; E 101000’34.0”) Selangor, Peninsular
Malaysia. Foreshore mangrove plantation challenges below mean sea level are in progress in this high
energy coast. There are interventions of gabion breakwaters and geo-textile tubes to alleviate the wave
velocity striking the shore. The area between the breakwaters and coastline is chosen for mangrove
plantation. The soil is fluid silt sludge with average clay, silt and sand proportion of 43.03 %, 351.8 % and
5.14 % respectively. The maximum height of the tide recorded onshore was 2.8 m and in the middle of the
plantation area the height of the water flooding is ±3.5 daily during tides. Number of plant species on the
SAUH concrete revetment is 43 with 12 mangrove species and on the fringe reference mangroves is 27 with
8 true mangrove species. This paper explains the method to identify the potential location for mangrove
rehabilitation, possibility of establishing mangroves on the seafront in the chosen area and conservation of
the existing strip with 14 mangrove species. Overall sediment accretion since May 2008 is ±0.0037cm per
annum which is considerably negligible. Opening out the earthen bunds along the coastline is the actual
solution for natural mangrove translocation and stabilization in this particular coastline, however, it is not
practically possible. Hence, we have studied an alternative strategy of rehabilitating mangroves at the
elevation of +0.5 m to 1m MSL along this shoreline and also in an engineered firm sediment filled zone. We
propose carrying out hydrological restoration in the natural habitats for survival and further natural
colonization of mangroves.