The Aflora Mangue Project has completed planting in the Flexal area along the banks of Mundaú Lagoon.

The restoration of vegetation across a three-hectare area is now in the maintenance and monitoring phase.

Maceió, October 17, 2024 - The Aflora Mangue Project has finished planting native mangrove and Atlantic Forest species along the banks of Mundaú Lagoon, covering an area of approximately three hectares near Riacho do Silva. This initiative marks the initial phase of the Project that anticipates the restoration of a total area of 47 hectares.

Currently, the planting is in the maintenance phase, which includes periodic irrigation, control of invasive vegetation, and replacement of underdeveloped seedlings. In the coming years, monitoring will be conducted following the planting, assessing plant development through indicators like height and stem diameter.

Approximately 3,875 mangrove seedlings were planted across 1.67 hectares, while. At the same time, another 2,565 Atlantic Forest seedlings - including species like ipês, ingás, and jatobás trees - were planted over 1.54 hectares in a transitional area, a strip of land no longer directly impacted by the tides.

The seedlings used in the restoration process were either sourced from accredited nurseries or produced on-site, using seeds collected from the project area. The Aflora Mangue Project team consists of professionals experienced in this type of initiative.

How was planting done?

Preparatory activities were developed to ensure the success of the mangrove planting process. First, the soil was left to "rest," allowing it to absorb nutrients from the water brought in by the tides. Invasive vegetation, which could hinder the growth of native plants, was removed. Finally, the area was fenced off to protect the seedlings from animals.

The implementation of environmental compensation measures is part of the Socio-Environmental Agreement signed in December 2020 between Braskem and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, with participation from the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Alagoas and support from the Municipality of Maceió.

Importance of the mangrove

The mangrove is a crucial ecosystem for both aquatic and terrestrial fauna, providing protection against erosion of the soil along riverbanks and lakeshores. In the region, the ecosystem consists of three characteristic mangrove types: red, black, and white. The transition between these areas is defined by the tides' influence on the soil and vegetation.

The red mangrove zone is closest to the lagoon, and is submerged most of the time. In this environment, it is distinguished by the large, exposed roots, which are often mistaken for stems.

The black mangrove is found slightly farther from the lagoon but is still directly impacted by the tides. In this area, the soil is exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide, with the vegetation's distinctive exposed, pointed, and twisted roots.

The white mangrove is located farthest from the lagoon and is only submerged during the highest tides. Its roots are fewer in number, and its stems, which connect the leaves to the trunk, have a distinctive reddish hue.

Bom Parto

This mangrove area recovery work has already begun in Bom Parto, which will feature 1.41 hectares of area planted with approximately 3,525 mangrove seedlings.