GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF PRIVATE MANGROVE PLANTATION (RHIZOPHORA APICULATA) AT AMPHOE AMPHAWA, CHANGWAT SAMUT SONGKHRAM

Abstract

Growth and survival of private mangrove plantation (Rhizophora apiculata) was studied at Tambon Yeesarn, Amphoe Amphawa, Changwat Samut Songkhram. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth of plantations of different ages between 1-15 year-old in terms of total height growth, diameter, biomass, stem volume and rate of survival. One temporary sample plot 10x10 m² in size was established in each plantation. Total height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and used for estimating the sample trees from each plantation and from these values, the allometric equations were calculated to estimate the total biomass of all trees in each plantation. Survival rate of each plantation was also recorded. The results revealed that the average height of plantations were about 0.45-12.36 m. The annual height increment was highest in a 11-year-old stand (1.56 m/yr.) and the lowest in a 1-year-old plantation (0. 45 m/yr.). The average DBH of plantations were about 0-6.26 cm. The diameter increment was greatest in a 12-year-old stand (0.87 cm/yr.) and the least in a 8-year-old stand (0.14 cm/yr.). The total biomass of plantation were about 0.64-251.09 tons/ha. The total volume of plantations were about 0.60-233.50 m³/ha. The largest increase in total biomass and total volume were in a 14-year-old plantation of about 59.09 tons/ha/yr. and 67.79 m³/ha/yr. respectively. The rate of survival of plantation decrease with ages increase. The survival rate in a 1-8-year-old plantation, a 9-12-year-old plantations and a 13-15-year-old plantations were approximately 95-80 percent, 76-53 percent and 45-41 percent respectively.