Manual on guidelines for rehabilitation of coastal forests damaged by natural hazards in the Asia-Pacific region

This study provides an overview and guidelines for rehabilitation of mangroves and other coastal forests. The guidelines include the rationale for rehabilitation; choice of species; site selection and preparation; propagation and planting; monitoring and tending; and case studies. The case studies provide useful lessons of success and failure of past and on-going projects in coastal forest rehabilitation. The overall manual includes introductory chapters on coastal forests (mangrove forests, beach and dune forests, and forests of coral islands), natural hazards (tsunamis, tropical cyclones, coastal erosion and sea-level rise), and the protective roles of coastal forests.

The manual is the final output of the ISME/ITTO Pre-Project on Restoration of Mangroves and other Coastal Forests damaged by Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards in the Asia-Pacific Region. Outputs of the project include: 1) An assessment report on the degree of degradation and recovery of the forests; 2) Establishment of six one-hectare pilot plots for demonstrating best practice rehabilitation techniques; and 3) A five-year Mangrove Rehabilitation Management (MRM) Plan or the affected forest areas.