Mangrove forests are vital coastal ecosystems that protect shorelines, support biodiversity, and store carbon. However, restoring these valuable ecosystems has often failed because accurate information about local tidal conditions is missing. Knowing exactly how high tides rise, how long areas stay flooded, and how strong currents become is essential for mangrove seedlings to successfully grow and survive.
Traditional methods of monitoring these tidal conditions can be costly, require specialist knowledge, and are often too limited to capture the full variability needed to properly plan restoration. To address this issue, our research team designed the “Mini Buoy”—a simple, affordable, and effective device to monitor tidal flooding and currents.
The Mini Buoy uses a small floating tube equipped with an accelerometer (a sensor that measures movement) and can easily record tidal conditions over extended periods, even months. We tested the Mini Buoys in two different places: the highly energetic tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy, and a previously abandoned aquaculture pond in North Sumatra, Indonesia, being naturally recolonized by mangroves.
Our tests showed that the Mini Buoy accurately captures critical tidal data like how long areas are underwater and how fast currents move. With this information, restoration managers can better decide where and how to plant mangrove seedlings, increasing their chances of survival.
To make our findings practically useful, we also developed an easy-to-use online tool called the “Mini Buoy App.” This app allows restoration practitioners, even those without specialized training, to quickly interpret data collected by the Mini Buoys. By providing easy-to-understand results, the app helps practitioners decide if a site has suitable flooding conditions for mangrove species commonly found in Southeast Asia.
Testing across multiple sites in North Sumatra demonstrated that areas vary greatly in flooding duration and water movement, directly affecting mangrove restoration success. For example, some abandoned aquaculture ponds had ideal conditions, while others experienced prolonged stagnant flooding, unsuitable for mangrove growth.
The Mini Buoy approach represents a significant step forward in coastal restoration efforts worldwide. By providing accessible, affordable, and accurate tidal monitoring, we empower local communities and restoration projects to significantly improve mangrove recovery, protecting coastlines, supporting wildlife, and enhancing carbon storage.
Our research highlights that simple innovations can lead to large-scale improvements in restoration success, contributing significantly to global efforts in protecting and restoring these invaluable ecosystems.