Land Suitability Assessment for Growth of Rhizophora stylosa and Aegiceras corniculatum for Development of Mangrove Forests in Coastal Areas of Nghe an Province, Vietnam

Developing mangroves has long been a matter of interest to scientists. To properly plan mangrove development, it is necessary to assess the suitability of mangrove species. This study evaluated the suitability of two mangrove species, Rhizophora stylosa and Aegiceras corniculatum, for the coastal area of Nghe An province, Vietnam. The suitability assessment was conducted across eighteen land units using sixteen indicators grouped into four criteria: (1) Soil salinity, (2) Soil mechanical composition, (3) Tidal inundation, and (4) Current status of saline soil and mangrove forests. The results showed that five land units were classified as highly suitable (67.54ha, 9.43%); six as moderately suitable (237.83ha, 33.22%); two as a marginally suitable (31.2ha, 4.59%), and five as an unsuitable suitable (377.62ha, 52.75%) for the growth of R. stylosa; six land units were highly suitable (105.95ha, 14.8%); seven land units were moderately suitable (232.31ha, 32.45%); no land units were marginally suitable; five land units were not suitable (377.62ha, 52.75%) for the growth of A. corniculatum. The research results are the scientific basis for expanding the area and developing suitable mangrove trees in the coastal area of Nghe An province. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.