1. Restoration of mangroves at Balandra Lagoon
2006

2. One of the two lagoons of Balandra
La Paz - 25 Km
MANGROVE FOREST

3. The second lagoon at Balandra
Mostly covered with mangrove forest

4. Part of the deforested area in 1994 (Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)

5. Part of the deforested area in 1994 (Clearcut, possibly in 1990-1991)

6. The deforested area did not regenerate itself for several years
The solution:
Reforestation by nursery-reared trees planted in strategic places in the right habitat

7. Native propagules (propagation units) of black mangrove as a source for the nursery

8. AERIAL ROOTS OF BLACK MANGROVES -- WHERE THE MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IS INTENSE
LAGOON
Underground
section
MUD
Toledo et al Cyanobacteria and black mangroves
in Northwestern Mexico: colonization, and diurnal and seasonal
nitrogen fixation on aerial roots.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology 41:

9. Filamentous Cyanobacteria COMPLETELY HIDDEN ROOT SURFACE
COLONIZATION (biofilm) OF THE SURFACE OF THE AERIAL ROOT OF BLACK MANGROVE
bacteria
Anabaena
Filamentous Cyanobacteria
COMPLETELY HIDDEN ROOT SURFACE
1 
Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995

10. BOTTOM OF ERLENMEYER FLASK
COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) WITH THE CYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus sp.
BOTTOM OF ERLENMEYER FLASK
CYANOBACTERIA
COLONIES
ROOTS
Toledo et al In vitro colonization and increase in
nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated
by a filamentous cyanobacteria.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology 41:

11. COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE CYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus sp.
Root surface
100 
Toledo et al In vitro colonization and increase in nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated by a filamentous cyanobacteria. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 41:

12. Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995
COLONIZATION OF MANGROVE ROOTS (in vitro) BY THE CYANOBACTERIA Microcoleus sp.
10 
Root surface
Toledo et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 1995

13. Nursery-reared black mangrove

14. Measuring the current in the reforested area

15. Strategic site was found, a shallow channel drained both deforested areas

16. Exit of channel from
reforested site
Inner lagoon

17. The reforested site is located in the main drainage channel in the two deforested areas.
Once the trees grow, we hope that their foliage, submerged in the water at high tide, will trap floating propagules and allow more trees to grow in the area.
Reforested area
Sand dune

18. Reforestation at low tide

19. Reforesting the strategic area
The site was “protected” from beach visitors by a deep trench filled with soft silt

20. At planting
One day later.
Passing the first tides
under field conditions

21. One year later

22. Two years later

24. Four and more years later
The reforested area accumulated organic debris and trapped floating propagules
This allows establishment of floating propagules in the area
Consequently, the reforested area gained many more new trees than we planted

25. In 1995, general view of one deforested area

26. In 2006, general view of reforested area

27. Ground view of deforested area in 1995

28. Ground view of reforested area in 2006

29. General view of the second deforested areas in 1995

30. In 2006, general view of the same area after reforestation

31. Wildlife returns to the reforested areas

32. Wildlife returns to the reforested areas: fish, the major economic contribution of mangroves
Juvenile fish

33. Fully reforested areas are returned to public recreation activities

34. Photographed by: Yoav Bashan
Presentation by:
Juan Pablo Hernandez