A healthy mangrove system is a valuable component to the health and longevity of many near shore habitats and offshore fishes. Acting as a sediment trap, a mangrove lagoon will filter out sediments leaving the surrounding waters clean and clear, which is necessary for healthy coral reefs and sea grasses. Mangroves have inherent physical properties that allow them to trap and hold sediments, while chemical properties allow them to absorb and utilize excess nutrients. Acting as a nursery ground, a mangrove lagoon will provide a plentiful source of food and refuge from predators to a variety of juvenile fishes. These essential juvenile habitats are important contributors to the sustainability of many commercially important fisheries.

In the mid 90's a series of hurricanes blew over the Virgin Islands and damaged the Lameshur Bay mangrove forest by closing off the lagoon's tidal inlet resulting in a massive die out. Years later another hurricane reopened the inlet allowing tidal waters to fill the lagoon. Because mangrove lagoons have significant environmental value and have a specialized ecological role, the purpose for restoring was clear: to retain the sediment reduction function and maintain the important nursery ground of the habitat.

In all, approximately 1300 red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), 700 black mangroves (Avincennia germinans), and 550 white mangroves (Languncularia racemosa) were planted in the lagoon. Initially, 740 red seedlings were collected from Coral World's mangrove exhibit and planted in the lagoon February of 2003. An additional 300 red propagules were collected from the east end of St. Thomas and Coral Bay, St. John and planted in early September 2003. Finally, in September 2004, 300 other red propagules from St. Thomas and St. John were collected and planted. All red mangroves were planted along transects throughout the lagoon.

In April 2003, 150 black mangrove seedlings were collected from Perseverance Bay, St. Thomas and transplanted into the Lameshur lagoon. An additional 100 black seeds were hand-broadcasted or planted in quadrats in August 2003. Finally, 450 black seeds were collected from the east end of St. Thomas in September 2004 and hand-broadcasted in the lagoon. All hand-broadcasted seeds were planted near the lagoon edge along the north and west banks. White mangroves were planted from seeds in two phases. The first, in August 2003, in which 250 seeds collected from the east end of St. Thomas were planted along the western bank of the lagoon. The second, in January 2004, 315 seeds were planted along the northwest corner of the lagoon.

The reds planted in February 2003 suffered a grim fate (4.2% survival), however those planted in August 2003 experienced more positive results (48% survival). All the black mangroves transplanted from Perseverance died within four weeks and those planted from seeds into quadrats showed no signs of life. Its difficult to estimate the survival of those dispersed by hand because the tide may have relocated the seeds. There is hope, however, 50-75 small saplings have been observed along the northern bank of the lagoon. The fate of the white mangrove seeds is much like that of the black mangrove seeds. The seeds can be relocated by the rising and falling tides, making it difficult to find them for future monitoring. Observations along the western bank (areas of known dispersal) showed a number (~50) of healthy white seedlings. Monitoring will continue in order to estimate the survivorship of the September 2004 planting.

The results show that the uprooted and transplanted red mangroves had a significantly higher mortality than the reds planted traditionally. The mortality could be the result of root system damage or from the changing soil and water conditions. Furthermore, planting season may also be a contributor to success or failure of newly planted mangroves. The reds planted in late summer had a much higher success rate than those planted in winter. Observing only relatively few sprouted white and black mangroves suggests their sensitivity to environmental conditions. Acclimating seedlings or transplanting seedlings resulted in 100% death. However, in years prior to the restoration project, but after the reopening of the tidal inlet, black mangroves propagated themselves at a comforting rate, resulting in numerous 3-4 year old trees scattered in the swamp. It seems that changing environmental conditions (i.e. salinity) has a significant impact on white and black mangroves making restoration efforts complicated.