Melaleuca fences produced similar rate of wave attenuation to
remnant mangrove patches at the study site. Working as a “soft”
barrier, Melaleuca fences absorb and reduce wave height when the
waves cross this constructed structure. Wave height immediately
reduced by 56% when the wave crossed through the fence. In
contrast, this rate was much lower (30%) to the mangrove forest.
Wave attenuation capacity depends on the mangrove character-
istics such as tree density, root density, canopy diameter and basal
area and tide condition (Bao, 2011; Mazdz et al.,1997). The thin and
fragmented mangrove belt (50–60 m width) in the study site as a
result of severe erosion and heavy disturbance might have reduced
its wave damping capacity. Measurements were only conducted
under the normal SW monsoon conditions. Different monsoon and
climate conditions may affect to the results and conclusions of the
wave attenuation effectiveness of Melaleuca fences and mangrove
fringes.