The role of forest restoration in conserving mangrove plant at the eastern coast of North Sumatra

Mangrove forests are wetland resources in coastal areas that important role in supporting of life. However, in recent decades, many mangrove forests have been degraded or lost, mainly due to the conversion of mangroves into ponds. Mangrove restoration activities on ex-pond lands have begun in recent years on the eastern coast of North Sumatra. This study aimed to measure the recovery of mangrove species through restoration activities on ex-pond lands and to know the composition of the restored mangrove forests at the eastern coast of North Sumatra. A total of 30 sample plots, each plot size of 10m by 10m, have been established at each age of mangrove stands (5-9 years) and secondary forests. All trees with the diameter (DBH) ≥ 2 cm in the sample plot were identified and measured the DBH. Overall, there were 14 mangrove species in all sample plots, equivalent to 42.42% of all true mangrove plants found in Indonesia. This result indicated that mangrove restoration has succeeded in restoring mangrove species diversity. Therefore, the mangrove restoration on ex-pond land needs to be promoted in an effort to restore various mangrove functions for community and coastal resources resilience.