Abstract
The mangrove ecosystem is not exempted from the fundamental interlinkages of components ensuring their functionality and development. Proper understanding of the interrelations between sediment parameters and their potential influence on mangrove growth is limited. This study examined mangrove structure across South western Nigeria, their growth dynamics, successional stage and relationship with the underlying sediments. Vegetation measurements and soil sampling (0-30cm) were carried out in one hundred quadrats of 20m by 20m. Sediments underwent laboratory analysis using standard procedures. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the sediments and structural parameters at the 0.05 significance level. Ongoing degradation was detected, with evidence of selective harvesting targeted in the critical younger classes of <6cm, 6.1-9cm and 9.1-13cm. Phosphorus, magnesium, pH, salinity, sodium, silt and organic carbon were significant factors, contributing approximately 53 percent to the height. Electrical conductivity, organic carbon, salinity, total acidity, pH and silt were significant factors, contributing approximately 56 percent to the girth. The mangrove forests, though at a matured stage, are endangered. Sediment parameters, especially texture, have a significant influence on mangrove growth. Preparation of specialised sediment treatments for mangrove regrowth sites and also the setting up of conservation sites should be adopted.
Highlights
The mangrove ecosystem is not exempted from the fundamental interlinkages of components ensuring their functionality and development
It is expected that a comparison of both localized and large regions will elicit a proper understanding of intricacies of mangrove growth and dynamics, for the purpose of management and planning
The highest mean tree density was observed in the control, with all the other parameters being the lowest. This was closely followed by the mangroves in Agge (449 trees/Ha) while the lowest occurred in Kurutie (282.55 t/Ha)
Summary
The mangrove ecosystem is not exempted from the fundamental interlinkages of components ensuring their functionality and development. Mangroves form a major part of wetlands in various places, especially in the tropics They are adapted to brackish water, having unique feeding links and associated interactions with a myriad of other organisms (Macnae, 1968; Lugo and Snedaker, 1974; Tomlinson, 1986). Against the background of ongoing global population explosion, coastal lands function as available land in the prevailing situation of land scarcity This is in addition to the fact that it is a major base for oil exploration and exploitation activities, and are under intense pressure. An understanding of the inherent relationships with the underlying sediment is critical It has been shown in a number of studies that underlying sediments are a major driver of growth within the mangrove environment (Dıaz and Blackburn, 2003); Green et al (1997), Conti et al (2016). The paper set out to test the relationship between mangrove forest structure and the sediment characteristics
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