Recruitment, mortality and growth of mangrove (Rhizophora sp.) seedlings in Ulugan Bay, Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

Propagule dispersal, establishment and recruitment to the sapling stage are critical steps in the life cycle of mangroves. Specific (i.e., per capita) rates of recruitment and mortality, and the growth rates of Rhizophora seedlings in three mangrove stands in Ulugan Bay (Palawan, Philippines) were estimated between March 1999 and February 2001. Recruitment and mortality were variable in space and time, with mortality exceeding rates of recruitment at all sites. The specific rates of seedling recruitment and mortality were higher in Buenavista (0.66 year−1 and −1.67 year−1) than in Umalagan (0.05 year−1 and −0.33 year−1) and Oyster Bay (0.13 year−1 and −0.24 year−1). The annual rate of production of internodes by the main stem was similar at the three sites (5.4–5.5 internodes year−1), but the annual rate of elongation of the main stem was higher in Buenavista (10.6 cm year−1) than in Oyster Bay (7.6 cm year−1) and Umalagan (5.6 cm year−1).