Mangrove restoration is a powerful tool for reconstructing degraded tropical estuaries worldwide. The
level of intervention necessary for rebuilding a mangrove area is still under study because this system is
quite dynamic and some degraded areas are able to recover by themselves.We compared a Restored Area
planted with Rhizophora mangle and a Self-recovered Area, to investigate how they would differ in
respect to their plant and crab assemblages. In each area, 10 plots were randomly sampled for measuring
tree richness, density, diameter at breast height and biomass, as well as crab richness and density after
five years from recover. Plant height and biomass, as well as crab density, were significantly higher in the
Restored in relation to the Self-recovered Area. However, tree richness was higher in the Self-recovered
Area and crab assemblage reached in five years a similar composition in assisted, naturally recovered and
natural areas, showing the high resilience of this important functional group. Active planting of R. mangle
propagules can significantly improve mangrove recovery in sites with high propagule predation,
increasing tree biomass and accelerating the return of animal functional groups such as crabs. However,
if resources for active restoration are scarce, passive recovery can be a successful low cost alternative for
mangrove restoration that preserves tree diversity and crab assemblages.