The necessity of implementing mangrove replenishment projects is supported by the documented reduction in mangroves throughout Florida's estuary systems. Over the past forty years the increases in population, water-front development, agriculture, boating and related activities have resulted in significant increases in the types and quantities of pollutants reaching intracoastal and coastal waters. With escalating pollution levels, the importance of mangroves to a healthy marine ecology dramatically increases. As natural members of estuary systems, mangroves mitigate the environmentally adverse and destructive effects of development and consequential pollution. Expansion of the mangrove dominion will help ensure the health of estuaries and coastal environments. Therefore, the author advocates mangrove replenishment on an extensive geographic basis as a logical contribution to coastal environmental protection and estuary restoration.
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| Importance
| for Replenishment
| Planting Methods
| Conventional Planting
| Goals
| Replanting
| Evidence
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