Abstract
Decomposition of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. leaf and woody litter (twigs) was studied using litter bag experiments in a subtropical mangrove forest at two tidal levels (high and low) with different inundation regimes and during two seasons (summer and winter). Losses in dry weight were best described by a single exponential model which showed loss rates of both leaves and twigs were significantly higher low down on the shoreline (greater inundation) and in summer. The time (days) required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t 50) was summer: high 59, low 44; winter: high 98, low 78. For twigs the values (days) were summer: high 383, low 179; winter; high 1327, low 1207. There is an exponential relationship between leaf litter t 50's and latitude which indicates the importance of temperature and therefore season, to the dynamics of organic cycling and export in mangrove systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albright, L. J., 1976. In situ degradation of mangrove tissues (note). N. Z. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 10: 385–389.
Boonruang, P., 1984. The rate of degradation of mangrove leaves, Rhizophora apiculata B. L. and Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. at Phuket Island, western Peninsula of Thailand. In Soepadmo, E., A. N. Rao & D. J. Macintosh (eds), Proc. Asian Symp. Mangr. Envir. Res. Mgmt. UNESCO: 200–208.
Chale, F. M. M., 1993. Degradation of mangrove leaf litter under aerobic conditions. Hydrobiologia 217: 1771–83.
Goulter, P. F. E. & W. G. Allaway, 1979. Litter fall and decomposition in a mangrove stand, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., in Middle Harbour, Sydney. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 30: 541–546.
Lugo, A. E. & S. C. Snedaker, 1974. The ecology of mangroves. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 5: 39–64.
Lugo, A. E. & S. C. Snedaker, 1975. Properties of a mangrove forest in southern Florida. In Walsh, G. E., S. C. Snedaker & H. J. Teas (eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Biology and Management of Mangroves. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida: 170–212.
Mackey, A. P. & C. Monsour, 1996. A structural analysis of the mangrove vegetation of Bulwer Island (Brisbane River). Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld. 105: 7–18.
Robertson, A. I., 1988. Decomposition of mangrove leaf litter in tropical Australia. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 116: 235–247.
Robertson, A. I. & P. A. Daniel, 1989. Decomposition and the annual flux of detritus from fallen timber in tropical mangrove forests. Limnol. Oceanogr. 34: 640–646.
SAS Institute Inc. 1988. SAS/STAT* User's Guide, Release 6.03 Edition. SAS Institute Inc.
Steinke, T. D., G. Naidoo & L. M. Charles, 1983. Degradation of mangrove leaf and stem tissues in situ in Mgeni Estuary, South Africa. In Teas, H. J. (ed.), Tasks for Vegetation Science, Vol. 8. Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague: 141–149.
Tam, N. F. Y., L. L. P. Vrijmoed & Y. S. Wong, 1990. Nutrient dynamics associated with leaf decomposition in a small subtropical mangrove community in Hong Kong. Bull. Mar. Sci. 47: 68–78.
van der Valk, A. G. & P. M. Attiwill, 1984. Decomposition of leaf and root litter of Avicennia marina at Westernport Bay, Victoria, Australia. Aquat. Bot. 18: 205–221.
Wieder, R. K. & G. E. Lang, 1982. A critique of the analytical methods used in examining decomposition data obtained from litter bags. Ecology 63: 1636–1642.
Woodroffe, C. D., 1985. Studies of a mangrove basin, Tuff Crater, New Zealand: I. Mangrove biomass and production of detritus. Estuarine Coast. Shelf Sci. 20: 265–280.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mackey, A.P., Smail, G. The decomposition of mangrove litter in a subtropical mangrove forest. Hydrobiologia 332, 93–98 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016688
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016688