Decomposition Of Mangrove Litter Research Articles

Do global change variables alter mangrove decomposition? A systematic review

AbstractAimGlobal change is expected to modify the magnitude and trajectory of organic matter decomposition in mangrove ecosystems. Yet, the degree and direction of that change is unknown, especially considering the large C storage potential that mangroves provide. We performed a systematic review of primary literature to examine the relationships between genus‐specific litter quality, latitude or other global change proxies and decomposition of mangrove litter fractions.LocationGlobal.Time Period1976–2021.TaxonMangroves.MethodsWe compiled a dataset of 480 decomposition rates, including species, litter fraction, latitude, and relevant biophysical data. We investigated the influence of genera, tissue type, latitude, and global change proxies on decomposition rates using linear models and qualitative approaches. We also performed calculations to determine the potential importance of the decomposition process on the root litter biomass C pool in the context of blue C significance.ResultsCollectively, latitudinal relationships suggest that factors other than temperature, such as tissue type and genus, may regulate decay rates within mangroves' distributional range. Decay rates of leaf litter, roots, and wood converged on a value of 0.009 ± 0.0005, 0.002 ± 0.0001, and 0.001 ± 0.0003, respectively, across continents and geomorphological settings. Our calculations suggest that small changes in decomposition rate will not elicit large changes in blue C storage potential.ConclusionsThe main drivers behind variability in mangrove biomass decay rates detected across the distributional range remain uncertain. However, the small latitudinal range that mangroves inhabit and the submerged environment within which litter decomposes suggest that decay depends on species‐specific responses or biotic interactions among species to global change drivers. Few studies have examined global change impacts directly, and variability in decay and lack of representation of some mangrove groups in the literature suggest that implications for blue C are important to consider.

Litterfall and Associated Macrozoobenthic of Restored Mangrove Forests in Abandoned Aquaculture Ponds

Mangrove restoration projects are now widely established, aiming to regain the carbon benefit of the mangrove ecosystem that is essential for climate change mitigation. This study aimed to investigate mangrove litter as the source of carbon in restored mangrove forests in Perancak Estuary, Bali, Indonesia, which previously experienced substantial mangrove loss due to shrimp aquaculture development. We assessed the production and decomposition of mangrove litter and associated macrozoobenthic biodiversity in restored forests with plantation age ≥14 years and intact mangrove forests as the reference. The monthly production of three groups of mangrove litter (leaf, reproductive, and wood) was assessed over 12 months. A leaf litter decomposition experiment was performed to inspect the interspecific and disturbance history variation in organic matter formation among four major mangrove species: Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Avicennia marina, and Sonneratia alba. Our results showed that annual litterfall production from restored and intact mangroves in Perancak Estuary were 13.96 and 10.18 Mg ha−1 year−1, which is equivalent to approximately 6282 and 4581 kg C ha−1 year−1 of annual litterfall carbon sink, respectively. Although restored mangroves had significantly higher plant litterfall production than intact mangroves, no significant difference was detected in leaf litter decomposition and macrozoobenthic biodiversity between these forest types.

Production and decomposition of mangrove litter in Jang River Estuary, Bukit Bestari District, Tanjungpinang City

Production and decomposition of mangrove litter in Jang River Estuary, Bukit Bestari District, Tanjungpinang City

Production and decomposition of mangrove litter in Jang River Estuary, Bukit Bestari District, Tanjungpinang City

The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of mangrove density, the level of production and decomposition of mangrove litter in Jang River Estuary, Bukit Bestari District, Tanjungpinang City. Determination of the research location using purposive sampling method based on development activities around the Muara Jang River mangrove area, including the area of ​​community settlement development (station 1), landfill area for the construction of shop houses and housing (station 2) and the area without development activities (station 3). To measure the density of mangroves using a plot of 10 x 10 m2 with 3 plots, to measure the production of mangrove litter using litter and to measure the decomposition of mangroves using litter with a 0.5 cm mesh size placed under mangrove trees that are still affected by tides. The results showed the level of mangrove density at station 1 was 1033 ± 51 trees/ha with good criteria and moderate density, station 2 was 933 ± 115 trees/ha with rare damage and density criteria, and station 3 was 1367 ± 208 trees/ha with good criteria and moderate density. The level of mangrove litter production at Station 1 is 5.14 grams dry weight / m2, Station 2 is 2.80 grams dry weight / m2, and Station 3 is 6.67 grams dry weight / m2. The mangrove decomposition rate at station 1 was 63.33%, station 2 was 62.05% and station 3 was 67.73%.

The Production of Organic Matter from Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba at The Kajhu and Meunasah Mesjid Villages, Aceh Besar

Production and decomposition of mangrove litter could contribute organic matter and nutrients to the coastal waters. This study was to estimate the extent to which the rehabilitated mangrove of Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba contribute organic matter. This study was conducted from November 2015 to January 2016. Litter traps were used to collect the litter production and litterbags to measure decomposition rates. The results showed that the average of litter production for Sonneratia alba and Rhizophora mucronata was 4,38 g.m-2.day-1 and 3,61 g.m-2.day-1, respectively. However, Sonneratia alba apparently showed higher decay rates compare with Rhizophora mucronata. Nutrients element (N and P) released were 321,2 kg.ha-1.years-1 and 47,45 kg.ha-1.years-1 for Sonneratia alba; and 131,4 kg.ha-1.years-1 and 13,14 kg.ha-1.years-1 for Rhizophora mucronata. Overall, this study indicated that the mangrove rehabilitation in the area study contributed insignificantly carbon restocking the affected area, although it was able to provide ecological functions of this mangrove ecosystem.

Mangrove leaf litter decomposition under mangrove forest stands with different levels of pollution in the Niger River Delta, Nigeria

AbstractNutrient cycling often moves between litter fall and decomposition. It is hypothesized that hydrocarbon pollution will slow down mangrove litter decomposition because of the reduction in microbial activities. We studied decomposition rates at different levels of pollution (i.e. high and low) and amongst different mangrove species (i.e. red, white and black). For the first experiment, fresh leaves of Rhizophora racemosa were collected, sealed in a litter bag and placed on the mangrove floor for 1.24 years at which all the leaves had completely decomposed to humus and were oven‐dried and weighed to calculate the decomposition rate constant (k) of mass loss. Although there was no significant difference in the rate of decomposition (P > 0.05), leaves at the highly polluted plot had lower rate of decomposition (6.58 × 10−4) when compared to leaves at the lowly polluted plot (1.75 × 10−3). In the second experiment, there was a significant difference in decomposition rates amongst species (P < 0.05). Red mangrove leaves (0.41) decomposed more than white (0.28) and black (0.28) mangrove leaves. This implies that hydrocarbon pollution slowed, but did not stop the decomposition of mangrove leaves.

Dynamic modelling of dissolved oxygen in the creeks of Sagar island, Hooghly–Matla estuarine system, West Bengal, India

Hooghly–Matla estuarine ecosystem is one of the largest estuarine ecosystems of the world. Sagar island is the largest delta in this estuarine complex. This island is criss-crossed by small and large creeks with mangrove vegetation and all are connected to the principal estuarine water. Decomposition of mangrove litter in soil is major source of inorganic nutrient to phytoplankton of the adjacent creeks. Deforestation of mangrove affects the primary production, which in turn reduces the availability of dissolved oxygen for the organisms residing in the estuary. Considering the importance of dissolved oxygen in various aspects of aquatic life, a dynamic model of dissolved oxygen at Sagar island of Hooghly–Matla estuarine complex with the help of single dimension differential equation is proposed in the present paper. Different physical, chemical and biological factors such as solar irradiance, temperature, salinity of water, particulate organic matter, re-aeration, wind velocity, phytoplankton and zooplankton, which control the fluctuation of dissolved oxygen, are included in the present model. Most of the parameter values are collected directly from the field surveys. The parameter values which are not able to collect from the field, obtained from literatures are calibrated. To make the model realistic it is properly validated with observed data and to know the statistical significance, chi square goodness fit test is performed. Field surveys are performed over two years. During calibration and validation, two sets of data (first year and second year data) are used. Chi-square values are 5.97 and 6.17 for first and second sets of data respectively (p<0.05). Sensitivity analysis reveals that optimal light intensity is the most sensitive parameter for dissolved oxygen dynamics. Results also show that wind velocity, solar irradiation, salinity of water and temperature are important factors for controlling the dynamics of dissolved oxygen. Macrophytes have very little contribution to oxygen production in the creeks of Sagar island. Model reveals that low dissolved oxygen in the creek water is one of the causes of decline in fish population of the estuary.

Feeding ecology of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Ocypodidae): food choice, food quality and assimilation efficiency

Food preferences, consumption rates and dietary assimilation related to food quality were investigated for the large semi-terrestrial and litter-consuming mangrove crab Ucides cordatus cordatus (Ocypodidae, L. 1763) in northern Brazil. Stomach contents were composed of mangrove leaves (61.2%), unidentified plant material and detritus (28.0%), roots (4.9%), sediment (3.3%), bark (2.5%), and animal material (0.1%). U. cordatus prefers Rhizophora mangle over Avicennia germinans leaves despite a higher nitrogen content, lower carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio and lower tannin content of the latter. Also, assimilation rates for senescent R. mangle leaves (C: 79.3%, N: 45.4%) were higher than for A. germinans leaves (C: 40.6%, N: 9.1%). Faeces composition indicates that A. germinans leaves were more difficult to masticate and digest mechanically. The leaf-ageing hypothesis, according to which crabs let leaves age in burrows to gain a more palatable and nutritive food, was rejected for U. cordatus since N content, C/N ratio and the abundance of microorganisms did not differ significantly between senescent leaves and leaves taken from burrows. The low microbial biomass on leaf surfaces and in the sediment indicates its minor importance for the nutrition of U. cordatus. It is concluded that high ingestion and assimilation rates of a R. mangle diet together with the consumption of algae allow for a high intake of C, N, and energy. The data suggest that the digestibility of mangrove leaves by U. cordatus is not hampered by tannins. This may have provided a competitive advantage over other leaf-consuming invertebrates unable to digest mangrove litter with high tannin concentrations. Due to the large stock biomass of U. cordatus in the study area, a great amount of finely fragmented faeces is produced (about 7.1 ton dry matter ha−1 year−1 in a R. mangle forest) which is enriched in C, N and bacterial biomass compared to the sediment. The decomposition of mangrove litter, and thus nutrient and energy transfer into the sediment, is greatly enhanced due to litter processing by U. cordatus.

Influence of tidal restriction floodgates on decomposition of mangrove litter

Tidal restriction structures known as floodgates, are currently being investigated in Australia for their effects on altering coastal wetland ecosystems. Using litterbag techniques, a study was conducted at Tomago — an estuarine environment near Newcastle, NE, Australia, to investigate decomposition patterns of leaf litter of the grey mangrove ( Avicennia marina Forsk (Vierh.)) on tidal and landward sides of two floodgates on a major tidal channel. After 360 days of litter incubation, significant differences were found between the landward and tidal wetland sites in rate and pattern of litter mass decomposition and in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus elements remaining. Decomposition rates on the tidal side were similar to those reported in the literature for estuarine habitats, but were much greater than those of the landward side. Results suggest that litter on the tidal side of the floodgates receive daily tidal inundation and contribute more favourably to the estuarine food web than litter on the landward side.

The decomposition of mangrove litter in a subtropical mangrove forest

Decomposition of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. leaf and woody litter (twigs) was studied using litter bag experiments in a subtropical mangrove forest at two tidal levels (high and low) with different inundation regimes and during two seasons (summer and winter). Losses in dry weight were best described by a single exponential model which showed loss rates of both leaves and twigs were significantly higher low down on the shoreline (greater inundation) and in summer. The time (days) required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t 50) was summer: high 59, low 44; winter: high 98, low 78. For twigs the values (days) were summer: high 383, low 179; winter; high 1327, low 1207. There is an exponential relationship between leaf litter t 50's and latitude which indicates the importance of temperature and therefore season, to the dynamics of organic cycling and export in mangrove systems.