About This Project

Kenya has seen extensive mangrove restoration initiatives. However, restoration success has often focused on seedling survival and forest cover, overlooking genetic diversity. This study will compare the genetic diversity between wild and replanted populations of Rhizophora mucronata, assessing whether replanted trees retain the genetic variation of their wild counterparts necessary for long-term adaptation and resilience under different environmental stressors and climate change.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

It is estimated that along the Kenyan coast, 70% of wood requirements are met by mangroves. This Increased demand has led to degradation of the forest in many areas along the coast. Kenya has made significant efforts to restore degraded mangrove ecosystems, particularly through planting the species Rhizophora mucronata. However, restoration has largely been assessed through seedling survival, growth and forest cover, with less attention to whether replanted populations retain the genetic diversity of natural forests. Bearing in mind that mangrove populations are genetically different, restoration should not treat all propagules as genetically identical. Therefore, this study seeks to measure restoration success by testing whether the replanted populations retained the genetic diversity necessary for long-term resilience.

What is the significance of this project?

Although genetic diversity and population structure of Rhizophora mucronata have been investigated across the Western Indian Ocean, further research is needed to determine whether replanted populations along the Kenyan coast retain genetic diversity comparable to that of wild populations. Genetic diversity is essential for mangrove populations because it increases their resilience, adaptive potential and ability to survive environmental pressures. Small populations may experience inbreeding and genetic drift, reducing genetic variation and reproductive fitness, threatening long-term survival. This study addresses that gap by comparing the genetic diversity of wild and replanted stands. The findings could help identify potential losses in genetic variation, inform the selection of propagules and support restoration practices that maintain genetic diversity, ultimately enhancing the adaptive capacity of restored mangrove forests over the long term.

What are the goals of the project?

The main goal of this study is to compare the genetic diversity between wild and replanted Rhizophora mucronata and assess the genetic success of mangrove restoration in Kenya. Rhizophora species are widely used in mangrove restoration because they are fast-growing, produce highly viable propagules, and are easy to propagate in nurseries and plant. Using genome-wide RAD-seq, this study will evaluate genetic diversity, relatedness and population structure to determine whether replanted populations retain genetic variation comparable to natural wild populations or show signs of genetic bottlenecks. The findings will help determine whether genetic diversity can serve as an indicator of restoration success and inform future propagule sourcing and restoration practices to support long-term resilience and adaptive potential in replanted mangrove forests