Phenology and litterfall production of Bruguiera sexangula (Lour.) Poir. in the Sundarbans mangrove forests, Bangladesh

Abstract

A large number of mangrove species are growing in the Sundarbans Reserve Forests (SRF), Bangladesh, yet little is known about their phenology. The aim of the present study was to understand the phonological patterns such as leaf emergence, leaf fall, flower buds, flowers, and propagules maturation, in the mangrove Bruguiera sexangula using litterfall data. This study was conducted at Karamjol and Ghagramari areas of SRF, Bangladesh and using litterfall data over two (2) years. Leaf and stipule litterfall occurred throughout the years, with distinct seasonal patterns. New leaf production was significantly correlated with monthly day length. Mean total litterfall was 18.75 Mg ha−1 yr−1, with the largest component being vegetative organs (68.4%). Flowers and propagules litterfall were highest in summer and rainy season, respectively. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, W, revealed that flower and propagule were significantly concordant during the study years. Flowers and propagules litterfall were significantly influenced by monthly day length and rainfall, respectively. The development of propagule could be affected by the climate during the development and the number of flowers etc. The average development period from flowers to propagules was around 4 months. B. sexangula did not show any correlation between leaf emergence and reproductive organs production.