Marine Science, Coastal Dynamics and Management

Statement of the Problem: Mangroves ecosystems provide benefits and offer products and services. These benefits and services include Products of Direct Economic value and Products of Natural System (intangible) unrecognized services. Mangroves are well known for their high biological productivity and their consequent importance to the nutrient budget of adjacent coastal waters. Degradation of mangrove would destabilize the economic potential and the livelihood of communities’ which include services and benefits offered by the mangrove ecosystem. Loss of Mangroves in the Indus Delta may threaten the survival of the natural resources and thereby the livelihood of a large number of fishermen. A Marine Ecological Assessment and audit was undertaken by IoBM and EMC experts on a jetty development project site at PQA. The objective was to assess and audit the growth of mangroves, epipelagic fauna and benthic marine invertebrates (MBI) at the completed construction site of a recently constructed trestle at Port Qasim (PQA), where civil works were undertaken on 25 hectares.

Findings: The predominant Mangroves Avicenna marina was removed from the site for developmental activities. Approximately 500 mangroves saplings of Avicenna marina and Rhizophora mucronata were replanted at the two locations. The growth of mangroves, Recolonization of epipelagic fauna and benthic marine invertebrates were monitored for 12 months. The results of the study shows the mean growth height of mangroves sapling Avicenna marina was 119.28 cm and Rhizophora mucronata was 88.98 cm. Rhizophora mucronata shows a slower growth compared to Avicenna marina. Statistical T-test performed on the data collected shows that the growth of Avicenna marina and Rhizophora mucronata have a significant difference in growth (p>0.05) level. The abundance of epipelagic community that comprises of crabs, mudskippers, worms, gastropods, and the interstitial fauna do not differ significantly. T-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances shows p<0.05.

Conclusion & Significance: The Marine Benthic Invertebrates (MBI) are generally sensitive to changes in the mangrove ecosystem. The statistical analysis tool used for abundance evaluation of the disturbed mangrove ecosystem shows a significant difference. The p values calculated were lower than p>0.05. The abundance and biodiversity of MBI’s are good indicators to monitor the health of the coastal mangrove ecosystem.