A case study on structural development and ecological services of restored mangroves in Adyar Estuary, India

Mangroves, critical coastal wetlands, face global degradation, necessitating conservation and restoration efforts. This study evaluates mangrove restoration in the Adyar Estuary, Chennai, along the Bay of Bengal, degraded by urbanization and anthropogenic pressures. It evaluates afforested mangroves' structural development, restored ecological functions, and factors enabling their establishment. Spanning 56.6 acres, the estuary hosts six mangrove species, with Avicennia marina dominant. The afforested mangroves showed a median density of 3900 trees ha−1, vegetation biomass of 222.26 Mg ha−1, and carbon stock of 99.89 Mg C ha−1 (366.60 Mg CO2e ha−1). Total carbon storage was 2288.00 Mg C (8397.05 Mg CO2e), with annual sequestration at 325.71 Mg C year−1 (1195.42 Mg CO2e year−1). Reduced self‐thinning indicated enhanced self‐tolerance. Despite pollution, mangroves thrived due to locally adapted species, replanting efforts and community involvement. This study highlights mangrove restoration as a strategy for climate resilience, aligning ecological and socio‐economic goals.