Abstract
Abstract. Information on mangrove stand development is rare because long-term monitoring data is often lacking. Such information is important in order to plan management measures effectively. Novel approaches based on existing datasets are required to bridge this gap of knowledge. This study uses a unique combination of field data analyses with simulation experiments in order to demonstrate how information on mangrove dynamics can be extracted if data are sparse. The paper provides a baseline characterization of stand development in a monospecific pioneer mangrove stand of Kandelia obovata. Point pattern analyses revealed that in the young stage, self-thinning has started but has not yet lead to a regularity of spatial tree distribution in the entire stand, and trees located in smaller clumps hinder each other in growth but do not lead to a significant size class differentiation. However, after ca. 2 decades the self-thinning and the size class differentiation start to become more visible. A mutual inhibition of growth was observed within 2 m circular distance (r) in the young stage and within 3 m distance after two decades of stand development as confirmed by the negative values of mark correlation function. As a stand grows older the spatial pattern of individuals become more regular from a clustered pattern. In order to understand and predict the future stand development, simulation experiments were carried out by means of the individual-based model KiWi.
Highlights
We aimed at addressing the following research questions, in particular: how are individual trees in a monospecific pioneer mangrove stand spatially distributed in the course of stand development? How does tree competition influence the demographic events, such as growth, mortality, biomass, etc. during the stand development? How do tree competition and stand dynamics lead to spatial patterns in monospecific mangroves?
In the simulation experiments with an initialization (Scenario 1, Table 2) of forest area by trees located identically to the original tree positions, original tree dbh and 12 yr as starting age, it was evident that the time trajectory of mean tree weight wand density ρ (Fig. 4) in the Kandelia obovata stand follows the self-thinning line in the course of stand development
This study focused on a comprehensive analysis of the early stage of stand development processes in the monospecific Kandelia obovata mangrove forest
Summary
The spatial patterns and population structure of mangroves, constitute important aspects in ecosystem functions (Osunkoya and Greese, 1997; Krause et al., 2001; Ellison, 2002; Sherman et al, 2003) They are fingerprints of important key factors, such as local competition. The relationship between local competition among trees as one of the major driving factors and the resulting size and spatial distribution of individuals remains little explained This is essential for a general understanding of mangrove forest dynamics. Scaling factor for FON Scaling factor for FON Maximum value of the FON Minimum value of the FON Growth constant Maximum dbh (cm) Maximum height (cm) Constant in height to dbh relationship Constant in height to dbh relationship Mortality threshold Resource sharing capacity
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