issg Database: Management and Information Links for Rhizophora mangle

Rhizophora mangle (aquatic plant, tree, shrub)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Management Information

Integrated management: To know the extent of the population of the red mangrove in a given region mapping techniques are recommended to quantify the severity of the problem. This information not only could be used classifying forest communities but also attmept to further explain the distribution pattern of the species (Murray, 2003). This may lead to local involvement in either a restoration project in areas where mangrove forests are being dessimated (Murray, 2003) or in locales like Hawai'i where management options focus on eradication (Rauzon, undated).
Physical: Physical control options are expensive, timely and moderately to highly effective (Allen, 1998). Cutting back vegetation with machinery, hand tools, and dredging canals and pools where it grows are all an effective means of reducing the population pool and allowing native species to return (Allen, 1998). If cutback to 10cm above the ground it is not likely to resprout, and if young mangroves in standing water are cutback to the waterline, they too are not likely to resprout (Rauzon, undated).
Chemical: The chemical Garlon 4 (TM) has been shown to be successful at eradicating the red mangrove with basal treatments (Rauzon, undated).
Please follow this link for Detailed Instructions for Application of Habitat Herbicide to Kill Red Mangrove compiled by Ann Kobsa (Invasive Species Coordinator, Malama O Puna)
Biological: A possible biological control is a species of fungus Cystospora rhizophorae which enters the red mangrove through wounded tissue and forms cankers on stem tissue. The fungus has been reported to cause a 33% mortality rate in seedlings when inoculated in the field (Wier, 2000).

         Location Specific Management Information
Hawaii
Please follow this link for Detailed Instructions for Application of Habitat Herbicide to Kill Red Mangrove in Hawaii compiled by Ann Kobsa (Invasive Species Coordinator, Malama O Puna)
Nu'upia Ponds Wildlife Management Area (Oahu Is.)
This species is currently being attempted to be eradicated and/or controlled at this specific site (Rauzon, undated).

         Management Resources/Links

1. Allen, J. A., Jan., 1998, Mangroves as Alien Species: The Case of Hawaii, Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters, Vol. 7, No. 1, Biodiversity and Function of Mangrove Ecosystems pp. 61-71.
        Summary: Important information regarding the influence of the red mangrove on Hawaii, and some important location information on its invasiveness to the islands.
2. Rauzon, M. J. and D. C. Drigot., 2002. Red mangrove eradication and pickleweed control in a Hawaiin wetland, waterbird responses and lessons learned. In Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species: 381-388. Veitch, C.R. and Clout, M.N.(eds). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN. Gland. Switzerland and Cambridge. UK.
        Summary: Eradication case study in Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species.
3. Wier, A.M., Tattar, T.A., & Kleklowski Jr., E.J., 2000, Disease of Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) in Southwest Puerto Rico Caused by Cytospora rhizophorae, Biotropica 32(2), pp. 299-306.
        Summary: This article discusses a fungal pathogen of red mangrove and its impact in monospecific stands. The pathogen could be promoted as a possible biological control of the red mangrove.
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The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.