Soil redox conditions and plant–soil relationships in a micronesian mangrove forest

Abstract

We examined characteristics of the soil environment related to redox in the rhizospheres of three mangrove species that commonly grow in similar hydrogeomorphic settings: Rhizophora apiculata BL, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk., and Sonneratia alba J. Redox potential (Eh) values and extractable P concentrations were significantly higher, whereas soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations were significantly lower in Bruguiera plots than in either Rhizophora or Sonneratia plots. Correlations among Eh, SRP, pyrite and extractable P were significant only at plots with negative Eh values. Sonneratia and Bruguiera plots had significantly different soil redox conditions. Bruguiera plots were characterized by more oxidized soil conditions (ca. 80 mV), lower dissolved P concentrations in porewater (ca. 50%), and higher extractable P concentrations in soil (ca. 25%). Differences in Eh and P reflect real differences among species and appeared not to be associated with hydrology. Species-specific differences may be engendered by the trees themselves, or they may reflect microsite differences that have favored the germination, growth, and survival of particular mangrove species.