With its special structure that other mangrove trees do not have, the SC is very suitable for planting in newly - formed alluvial soils, where the soil has not yet been compacted, also known as the liquid mudflat, withlow salinity from 5 to 10 per thousand (brackish water).
Sonneratia Caselaoris can grow well in flooding area but they must have a minimum 8 hours of drying time. For other mangroves (except Avencia), newly - planted seedlings can not stay on the soft mudflats, causing that they are often swept away by strong waves, and thus, a very low rate of survival.
After a period of development, with more alluvium & sediment deposits (usually with a settlement of 40cm), and with more mature roots, the soil solidifies gradually. When the SC has grown into a forest, the soil in this area becomes compacted mud with a settlement of only 15cm, then develops into clay with a settlement of 5cm.
The root system of the trees has the ability to bind the soil, growing rapidly in the direction of forwarding to the sea. And at that time, other mangrove trees, such as the Rhizophora Apiculata Blume, begins to grow on the soils that had been hardened by the SC. Gradually, the diverse mangrove ecosystem begins to grow while the SC trees are still working hard at the forefront, forming a strong barrier of preventing waves, and storms.
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