Browsing by Author "Kasimbazi, Antidius Raphael"
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- The impact of mangrove restoration on mangrove diversity, sedimentation and sediment characteristics in the Rufiji Delta, TanzaniaPublication . Kasimbazi, Antidius Raphael; Chicharo, Luis Manuel ZambujalMangroves are vital for coastal ecosystems but are continuously degraded, requiring restoration. This study examined the effects of mangrove restoration at 4 years on mangrove diversity, sediment characteristics and quality, in the Rufiji Delta, Tanzania from February to April 2023. Plants were sampled using a passive quadrat sampling technique and analyzed for diversity by the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index. Sediment quality parameters were determined using a HANNA (HI98194) multiparameter probe. Sedimentation rates were examined using aluminium sediment traps. Organic matter, grain size distribution and statistical significance were determined by LOI, sieve granulometry, and ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test respectively. Mangrove diversity decreased from Natural (1.47), restored (1.22) to degraded (1.08) with 6, 4 and 3 species respectively. Organic matter doubled from degraded to restored sites and tripled to the natural site. Sediments from the natural and restored mangrove had high Dissolved oxygen, low temperature and pH close to neutral (7) while those from degraded mangrove had low Dissolved Oxygen, high temperature and slightly acidic pH of less than 7. Thus, 4 years of restoration demonstrated partial recovery in mangrove diversity and sediment quality. The study recommends the government and conservation stakeholders continue restoration initiatives for mangrove recovery against degradation and harness alternative activities in the local population to reduce mangrove unsustainable harvesting and clearance for agriculture as the drivers for degradation.