Litter production and litter elemental composition in two rehabilitated Kandelia obovata mangrove forests in Jiulongjiang Estuary,China

Spatial and seasonal variations in litter production and C, N, and P concentrations were compared between the 24 and 48 year old Kandelia obovata mangrove forests in the Jiulongjiang estuary, China. The 24 yr forest had significantly higher production of total, leaf and branch litter, but lower flower and fruit litter than the 48 yr forest. Total, leaf and branch litter production were significantly positively correlated to monthly temperature and rainfall. Spatial patterns of litter production among the inner, mid and outer zones in the same forest were similar to those of tree heights. C, N and P concentrations of leaf litter showed significant seasonality but varied little among these three forest zones. C/N and N/P ratios of leaf litter were significantly lower for the 24 yr forest than those for the 48 yr forest. During the entire sampling year, total litter of the 24 and 48 yr forests contained 590.31 and 437.31 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, 8.46 and 5.47 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹, 1.92 and 1.16 g P m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively.     

Leaf removal by sesarmid crabs in Bangrong mangrove forest, Phuket, Thailand; with emphasis on the feeding ecology of Neoepisesarma versicolor

Field measurements on leaf removal by populations of sesarmid crabs at different locations in the Bangrong mangrove forest, Phuket, Thailand, indicated that crabs on average can remove 87% of the daily leaf litter fall by ingestion or burial. The removal rate is correlated positively with the number of crab burrows and negatively with tidal inundation time. The results from the field were supplemented with observations on the behavior of Neoepisesarma versicolor in laboratory microcosms and a mangrove mesocosm. N. versicolor feeds primarily at night and total time spent feeding was up to an order of magnitude higher in the artificial microcosms than under simulated in situ conditions in the mesocosm. Most of the time during both day and night was spent resting near the entrance or inside burrows. N. versicolor mainly feeds on mangrove leaves and scraps of food material from the sediment surface. This is supported by examinations of stomach content, which showed that 62% is composed of higher plant material and 38% of detritus and mineral particles from the sediment. The nutritive value of leaves and detritus is insufficient to maintain crab growth. Sesarmid crabs may instead obtain the needed nutrients by occasional consumption of nitrogen-rich animal tissues, such as carcasses of fish and crustaceans, as indicated by the presence of animal remains in the stomach and the willingness of crabs to consume fish meat. Laboratory experiments on leaf consumption and leaf preferences of N. versicolor indicate that they preferentially feed on brown leaves, if available, followed by green and yellow leaves. If all species of sesarmid crabs in the Bangrong mangrove forest consume leaves at the same rate as N. versicolor, they could potentially ingest 52% of the total litter fall.     

Mangrove (Avicennia marina subsp. australasica) litter production and decomposition in a temperate estuary

Mangrove forests can provide important cross-boundary subsidies of organic matter to adjacent habitats through the production, export, decomposition and assimilation of litter. We quantified two of these components in a temperate mangrove forest in Whangamata Harbour, New Zealand: 1) litter production; and 2) decomposition rates as a function of tidal elevation, sediment type and burial depth. Litter traps sampled monthly for a year measured an annual detrital input of 3.24–5.38 t DW ha^?1, of which 77% occurred in summer. Decomposition rates depended on litter type, with leaves decomposing faster (63 d to decay by 50%) than pneumatophore and wood material (316 and 460 d, respectively). Buried leaf and wood litter decomposed 1.3–1.4 times slower than litter on the sediment surface; however, tidal elevation and sediment type (mud vs. sand) had no effect. The slow decay of litter (an order of magnitude slower than tropical mangrove litter) suggests that its incorporation into temperate marine food webs may be relatively slow.     

Seasonal variability of leaf litter removal by crabs in a Kandelia candel mangrove forest in Jiulongjiang Estuary, China

The seasonal variability of leaf litter removal by crabs was observed from May 2006 to April 2007 in a Kandelia candel mangrove forest in Jiulongjiang Estuary, China. Daily average quantities of leaf fall ranged 0.85–3.86 gDW m⁻² d⁻¹, with high values in May, August, October and November. The whole-year's leaf fall was 6.48 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (1.81 gDW m⁻² d⁻¹). The standing stock of leaf litter on the forest floor was 7.78 gDW m⁻² averaged from the whole year's data, with the lowest value in December (1.23 gDW m⁻²) and the highest in April (16.18 gDW m⁻²). Annually averaged removal (consumption on mangrove floor + burial in burrows) rate of leaf litter by crabs was 0.59 gDW m⁻² d⁻¹. High seasonal variability was observed in the removal rates of leaf litter by crabs. Removal rates in the winter months (December, January and February) were 0.07–0.09 gDW m⁻² d⁻¹, much lower than those in other months with values of 0.59–1.18 gDW m⁻² d⁻¹. Annually averaged percentage of leaf fall removed by crabs was 33%, with the highest values in September (reached 76%) and the lowest values in winter months. Of leaf litter removed by crabs, a large proportion was buried by crabs, and only 12% was consumed by crabs on the forest floor. Leaf litter removal rate, consumption rate on the forest floor, percentages of leaf fall and standing stock removed on the forest floor were significantly positively correlated with air temperature, indicating that leaf removal ability by crabs was higher in warm months than in cold months.     

Estimating direct and episodic atmospheric nitrogen deposition to a coastal waterbody

Direct deposition of atmospheric nitrogen to shallow coastal embayments is usually estimated, since insufficient field measurements are available. Using Waquoit Bay (Cape Cod, MA. USA) as a case study, and a recent review of literature, we determined reasonable bounds on wet and dry inputs of inorganic and organic N. Since precipitation and wind vary daily, we explored the potential of episodic events to stimulate phytoplankton blooms. Many coastal waterbodies like Waquoit Bay are small relative to their watersheds. Nevertheless, direct deposition of NH(3), NO(3)(-), and HNO(3) is significant in the loading budget. For Waquoit Bay, direct deposition was calculated to be 7-15.5 kg total N ha(-1)yr(-1), representing 70-150% of the atmospheric N reported to reach the bay via the watershed, and 20-45% of the total N reaching the bay from all land-based sources. Episodic events were estimated to deliver up to 65 mg N m(-2)day(-1), representing a phytoplankton stock of 12.3 mg Chl m(-2), an amount unlikely to stimulate dense blooms in shallow coastal waters in the northeastern United States.     

Nutrient and caloric dynamics in Avicennia marina leaves at different developmental and decay stages in Zhangjiang River Estuary,China

Avicennia marina is a typical mangrove species in the subtropical coastlines of China. The main objective of this study was to assess nutrient and caloric dynamics in A. marina leaves at different developmental and decay stages. Decomposition studies using litter bags suggested that the time required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t₅₀) was 19 days. The extracts of A. marina leaves contained non-tannin phenolics and tannin phenolics (hydrolysable tannin), but no condensed tannin. Non-tannin phenolics and tannin phenolics contents did not differ significantly from each other at various developmental stages, but decreased rapidly during leaf decomposition. Avicennia marina leaves had high N levels, and both N and P concentrations decreased significantly during senescence. During decomposition, N concentration of the leaf litter increased gradually but the phosphorus concentration showed a decrease in the first week, and both N and P remained the same towards the end of the experiment. The gross caloric value (GCV) of mature leaves was significantly higher than those of young and senescent leaves, while ash-free caloric value (AFCV) did not change significantly during leaf development and senescence. During leaf decomposition, both GCV and AFCV increased gradually and remained the same at late stages. In subtropical Zhangjiang River Estuary, high N levels and lack of condensed tannins in A. marina leaves were responsible for the fast rate of decay. Non-tannin phenolics and tannin phenolics had no great effect on rate of decay. Nitrogen resorption during leaf senescence, and high litter decomposition followed by nitrogen immobilization are the important nutrient conservation strategy for A. marina.     

Litter dynamics and forest structure of the introduced Sonneratia caseolaris mangrove forest in Shenzhen, China

For the purpose of mangrove restoration in China, Sonneratia caseolaris has been introduced and planted in Guangdong Province outside and north of its native habitat, Hainan Province. We monitored the litter fall and forest structure of this S. caseolaris forest in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China, from 1996 to 2005. The annual fluctuation in litter fall increased with increases in air temperature from spring to early summer, and reached a maximum in autumn when the fruits matured. The total litter fall was significantly affected by air temperature, day length, and evaporation, rainfall in the previous month and by typhoons. In 1998, the sixth year after cultivation, the total litter production of the mature S. caseolaris forest significantly increased. The mean annual total litter production during 1998–2005 was 15.1 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, among which, leaves and reproductive materials contributed more than 80% of the total. During the ten years of study, the DBH (diameter at 1.30 m from ground level) and tree height of S. caseolaris increased from 5.2 cm to 18.3 cm, and from 4.5 m to 13.4 m, respectively. The litter fall production was strongly correlated with forest structure parameters, such as DBH, tree height, and crown area. The R value (the ratio of the maximum total litter fall to the minimum in the same community during the investigation periods) of S. caseolaris in the present study was 1.98, indicating a low annual variation of litter fall during these ten years.     

Differences in benthic fauna and sediment among mangrove (Avicennia marina var. australasica) stands of different ages in New Zealand

Management of coastal environments requires understanding of ecological relationships among different habitats and their biotas. Changes in abundance and distribution of mangroves, like those of other coastal habitats, have generally been interpreted in terms of changes in biodiversity or fisheries resources within individual stands. In several parts of their range, anthropogenically increased inputs of sediment to estuaries have led to the spread of mangroves. There is, however, little information on the relative ecological properties, or conservational values, of stands of different ages. The faunal, floral and sedimentological properties of mangrove (Avicennia marina var. australasica) stands of two different ages in New Zealand has been compared. Older (>60 years) and younger (3–12 years) stands showed clear separation on the basis of environmental characteristics and benthic macrofauna. Numbers of faunal taxa were generally larger at younger sites, and numbers of individuals of several taxa were also larger at these sites. The total number of individuals was not different between the two age-classes, largely due to the presence of large numbers of the surface-living gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum at the older sites. It is hypothesized that as mangrove stands mature, the focus of faunal diversity may shift from the benthos to animals living on the mangrove plants themselves, such as insects and spiders, though these were not included in the present study. Differences in the faunas were coincident with differences in the nature of the sediment. Sediments in older stands were more compacted and contained more organic matter and leaf litter. Measurement of leaf chemistry suggested that mangrove plants in the younger stands were able to take up more N and P than those in the older stands.     

Mapping mangrove leaf area index at the species level using IKONOS and LAI-2000 sensors for the Agua Brava Lagoon,Mexican Pacific

Using both IKONOS and in situ LAI-2000 sensor data, a map of estimated LAI, based on NDVI, was created for the Agua Brava Lagoon, Mexican Pacific. The LAI values were then aggregated according to four classes; red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), healthy white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), poor condition white mangrove and dead mangrove. Of the live mangrove, calculated at approximately 85% of the forest, mean LAI values of 2.49, 1.74 and 0.85 were determined for the red, healthy white and poor condition white mangrove, respectively. Excluding the dead areas, an overall estimated mangrove LAI value of 1.81 was ascertained for the 71 km² of mapped mangrove forest. Although the results do suggest the technique as a very rapid and effective method for monitoring the condition of mangroves at the species level, potential limitations are also discussed.     

Water quality and sediment and nutrient export from New Zealand hill‐land catchments of contrasting land use

Measurements were made of suspended sediment (SS), volatile suspended solids, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, turbidity, black disk visibility, pH, alkalinity, and temperature, at monthly intervals for 2–5 years on nine streams draining catchments with pasture, pine plantation, and native forest land uses. Stream flow and flow‐weighted concentrations of SS, N, and P were also measured for up to 2 years from pasture, native forest, and mixed land‐use catchments enabling calculation of export (kg ha^‐1 yr^‐1). During 1996–97, export from the pasture stream was 2.5‐ to 7‐fold higher for SS (988), total P (1.50), total Kjeldahl N (5.65), nitrate N (4.37), and ammoniacal N (0.34) than from the stream draining native forest. In contrast, export of DOC (25.5) and dissolved reactive P (DRP) (0.25) from the pasture stream were within 20% of the native stream's values. Export of SS and nutrients (except DRP) from the pasture catchment was 4‐ to 15‐fold higher during the winters of 1995 and 1996 than winter 1997 when rainfall was half the normal level. Streams draining native forest had lower temperature, sediment, and nutrient concentrations (except DRP), and higher water clarity, than those draining pine forest and pasture. A pine/scrub stream had the highest SS and turbidity and lowest DRP, pH, and alkalinity. Pasture streams had the highest concentrations of all N species (geometric means 2‐to 4‐fold > native), total P, and DOC, and also showed the greatest variation in water quality attributes in relation to season and flow. The influences of land use were attributable to differences in both source materials of sediment and nutrients available for transport and changes in rates of in‐stream processing.     

Sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter in a mangrove fringed small tropical estuary in South China

The sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter (OM) were investigated in a small tropical estuary in the Hainan Island, South China. Plants, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and surface sediments samples in the estuary and coast were collected. Bulk properties [organic carbon (OC%), total nitrogen (TN%), stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and grain size] and lignin phenol concentrations were measured. OC% of mangrove plants was (43.4 ± 2.1)%, which is similar to the values reported for mangrove plants in other regions. OC% of sediment samples ranged from 0.07% to 1.42%, and they were related to the sediment texture. Lignin phenols in the sediment ranged from 5.16 mg/100 mg OC in the uppermost station to 0.51mg/100mg OC in the coast. The molar ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N) (～7) and δ 13 C (～-31.1×10-3 ) of riverine SPM revealed that the major OM sources of riverine SPM were aquatic OM (phytoplankton and/or bacteria). Moreover, the lower lignin concentration (Λ8) and higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols suggest that terrestrial OM in riverine SPM were mainly from soil. Furthermore, C/N ratio, δ13C and lignin phenols reveal that mangrove plants were the predominant OM sources of mangrove surface sediment. Based on the δ13C and lignin phenols, it can be concluded that the major OM sources in estuarine and coastal surface sediments were marine phytoplankton, riverine SPM and mangrove surface sediment. In addition, the higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols in those coastal sediments indicate that seagrass might be a potential OM source in coastal sediments, however, the lower (Ad/Al)v in the estuarine sediments in turn suggests that seagrass could not be transported to the mangrove fringed region. A three-end-member model which is based on lignin concentrations and δ13C was applied to evaluate the contribution of mangroves to the organic matter preserved in the surface sediments. Around the mangrove fringed region, mangrove could contribute more than 50% to the sedimentary OM, and this value is much higher than riverine OM. Nevertheless, mangrove OM could not be efficiently transported to the coastal region. Our study suggests that mangrove forest is an important OM source in this small estuary.     

淋溶在红树植物秋茄落叶分解失重中的潜在作用

于１９８６年冬－１９８９年秋在福建省九龙江口，连续３年分季节进行红树植物秋茄落叶在林地滩面的分解实验，并在室内测定其落叶和腐叶的可溶性物质含量，定量探讨淋溶在落叶分解失重中的潜在作用。结果表明，可溶性物质平均占落叶干重的２７．２６％，这些可溶性物质中的８７％在分解初期的快速淋溶阶段迅速损失，可导致落叶初始干重损失２４％。快速淋溶阶段持续时间平均分别是，春季３６ｄ，夏季，１３ｄ，秋季，１７ｄ，冬季５     

Biomass accumulation and organic carbon stocks of Kandelia obovata mangrove vegetation under different simulated sea levels

Mangrove forests are vulnerably threatened by sea level rise (SLR). Vegetation organic carbon (OC) stocks are important for mangrove ecosystem carbon cycle. It is critical to understand how SLR affects vegetation OC stocks for evaluating mangrove blue carbon budget and global climate change. In this study, biomass accumulation and OC stocks of mangrove vegetation were compared among three 10 year-old Kandelia obovata (a common species in China) mangrove forests under three intertidal elevations through species-specific allometric equations. This study simulated mangrove forests with SLR values of 0 cm, 40 cm and 80 cm, respectively, representing for the current, future ~100 a and future ~200 a SLR of mangrove forests along the Jiulong River Estuary, China. SLR directly decreased mangrove individual density and inhibited the growth of mangrove vegetation. The total vegetation biomasses were (12.86±0.95) kg/m2, (7.97±0.90) kg/m2 and (3.89±0.63) kg/m2 at Sites SLR 0 cm, SLR 40 cm and SLR 80 cm, respectively. The total vegetation OC stock decreased by approximately 3.85 kg/m2 (in terms of C) from Site SLR 0 cm to Site SLR 80 cm. Significantly lower vegetation biomass and OC stock of various components (stem, branch, leaf and root) were found at Site SLR 80 cm. Annual increments of vegetation biomass and OC stock also decreased with SLR increase. Moreover, significant lower sedimentation rate was found at Site SLR 80 cm. These indicated that SLR will decrease mangrove vegetation biomass and OC stock, which may reduce global blue carbon sink by mangroves, exacerbate global warming and give positive feedback to SLR.     

海草凋落叶的溶解有机物的释放及其生物地球化学意义

Dissolved organic matter(DOM) represents a significant source of nutrients that supports the microbial-based food web in seagrass ecosystems. However, there is little information on how the various fractions of DOM from seagrass leaves contributed to the coastal biogeochemical cycles. To address this gap, we carried out a 30-day laboratory chamber experiment on tropical seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides. After 30 days of incubation, on average 22% carbon(C), 70% nitrogen(N) and 38% phosphorus(P) of these two species of seagrass leaf litter was released. The average leached dissolved organic carbon(DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen(DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP) of these two species of seagrass leaf litter accounted for 55%, 95% and 65% of the total C, N and P lost, respectively. In the absence of microbes, about 75% of the total amount of DOC, monosaccharides(MCHO), DON and DOP were quickly released via leaching from both seagrass species in the first 9 days. Subsequently, little DOM was released during the remainder of the experiment. The leaching rates of DOC, DON and DOP were approximately 110, 40 and 0.70 μmol/(g·d). Leaching rates of DOM were attributed to the nonstructural carbohydrates and other labile organic matter within the seagrass leaf. Thalassia hemprichii leached more DOC, DOP and MCHO than E. acoroides. In contrast, E. acoroides leached higher concentrations of DON than T. hemprichii, with the overall leachate also having a higher DON: DOP ratio. These results indicate that there is an overall higher amount of DOM leachate from T. hemprichii than that of E. acoroides that is available to the seagrass ecosystem. According to the logarithmic model for DOM release and the in situ leaf litter production(the Xincun Bay, South China Sea), the seagrass leaf litter of these two seagrass species could release approximately 4×10~3 mol/d DOC, 1.4×10~3 mol/d DON and 25 mol/d DOP into the seawater. In addition to providing readily available nutrients for the microbial food web, the remaining particulate organic matter(POM)from the litter would also enter microbial remineralization processes. What is not remineralized from either DOM or POM fractions has potential to contribute to the permanent carbon stocks.     

全新世大暖气广西钦州湾红树林衰退的红树林源有机质贡献示踪及其对亚洲季风的响应

The response of mangrove ecosystems to the Asian monsoon in the future global warming can be understood by reconstructing the development of mangrove forests during the Holocene climatic optimum(HCO), using proxies preserved in coastal sediments. The total organic matter in sediments of a segmented core, with calibrated age ranges between 5.6 and 7.7 cal. ka BP and corresponding to the HCO, from the Qinzhou Bay in Guangxi, China, is quantitatively partitioned into three end-members according to their sources: mangrove-derived, terrigenous,and marine phytoplanktonic, using a three-end-member model depicted by organic carbon isotope(δ13Corg) and the molar ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen(C/N). The percentage of mangrove-derived organic matter(MOM) contribution is used as a proxy for mangrove development. Three visible drops in MOM contribution occurred at ca. 7.3, ca. 6.9, and ca. 6.2 cal. ka BP, respectively, are recognized against a relatively stable and higher MOM contribution level, indicating that three distinct mangrove forest degradations occurred in the Qinzhou Bay during the HCO. The three mangrove forest degradations approximately correspond to the time of the strengthened/weakened Asian winter/summer monsoon. This indicates that even during a period favorable for the mangrove development, such as the HCO, climatic extremes, such as cold and dry events driven by the strengthened/weakened Asian winter/summer monsoon, can trigger the degradation of mangrove forests.     

Size-dependent distribution and feeding habits of Terebralia palustris in mangrove habitats of Gazi Bay, Kenya

The gastropod Terebralia palustris often dominates the surface of muddy to sandy substrates of intertidal mudflats and mangrove forests, where they clearly destabilize the sediment. In the present study, it was investigated whether and to what extent the behaviour of juvenile and adult snails differs among habitats (mudflat vs. mangrove stand) in a Sonneratia alba mangal at Gazi Bay, Kenya. For this purpose we: (1) examined their distribution along three land–sea transects; and (2) applied stable isotope analysis to determine the feeding patterns of different-sized snails from the mangrove and mudflat habitats. Additionally, we investigated if these gastropods exert an impact on microphytobenthic (diatom) biomass, and whether this is size-dependent. The latter objective was met by either enclosing or excluding different-sized snails from experimental cages on the intertidal mudflat and the subsequent assessment of a change in pigment concentration of the sediment surface. In agreement with several previous studies conducted in other mangroves and geographical locations, a spatial segregation was demonstrated between juveniles (more common on the mudflat) and adults (more common in the mangrove forest). On the intertidal mudflat juveniles avoided sediment patches characterized by highly saline water in intertidal pools and a high mud content, while adults tended to dwell on substrates covered by a high amount of leaf litter. Stable carbon isotope analysis of the foot tissue of snails sampled from the S. alba stand and the mudflat indicated a transition in food source when a shell length of 51 mm is reached. Considering the δ¹³C value of juveniles, it seems they might be selecting for microphytobenthos, which might explain their preference for the mudflat. The diet of size classes found in both habitats did not differ significantly, although juveniles inhabiting the mangrove forest were slightly more depleted in ¹³C compared to those residing on the mudflat. Assuming juveniles feed on benthic microalgae and considering the lower microalgal biomass inside the mangrove forest, this may be a consequence of a higher contribution of other, more ¹³C depleted organic carbon sources, like phytoplankton, to their diet. Experimental results indicate a negative, but insignificant, impact on benthic diatom biomass by juveniles (due to grazing) and adults (due to physical disturbance). This finding seems to be in agreement with the results of the stable carbon isotope analysis, strongly suggesting the selective feeding of juvenile T. palustris on benthic diatoms.     

Assessment of aquaculture impact on mangroves of Mahanadi delta (Orissa), East coast of India using remote sensing and GIS

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food industries. However, the rapid growth of aquaculture worldwide has resulted in growing concerns about its impact on important ecosystems. The expansion of aquaculture farms in the coastal areas has led to conversion of mangroves, more rapidly. To assess the impact of aquaculture on mangroves, the present study has been undertaken in Mahanadi delta of Orissa, East coast of India which is famous for its distinctive mangrove ecosystem. It has undergone tremendous changes due to the development of aquaculture and agriculture activities during last two decades. For this, satellite data of different time periods (Landsat MSS of 1973, Landsat TM of 1990 and IRS P6 LISS III of 2006) were used. It was found that the delta was occupied by dense mangrove (12.6%), open mangrove (3.3%), aquaculture (12.9%) and agriculture (30.9%) in 2006. A loss of 2606 ha mangrove area and an increase of 3657 ha aquaculture area was observed from 1973 to 2006 clearly depicts the augment of aquaculture industry. It is suggested that, regular monitoring of the mangroves and effective implementation of coastal management laws be strictly undertaken to prevent the further loss mangroves in Mahanadi delta.     

Mangrove litter fall: Extrapolation from traps to a large tropical macrotidal harbour

Mangrove litter is a major source of organic matter for detrital food chains in many tropical coastal ecosystems, but scant attention has been paid to the substantial challenges in sampling and extrapolation of rates of litter fall. The challenges arise due to within-stand heterogeneity including incomplete canopy cover, and canopy that is below the high tide mark. We sampled litter monthly for three years at 35 sites across eight mapped communities in the macrotidal Darwin Harbour, northern Australia. Totals were adjusted for mean community canopy cover and the occurrence of canopy below the high tide mark. The mangroves of Darwin Harbour generate an estimated average of 5.0 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ of litter. This amount would have been overestimated by 32% had we not corrected for limited canopy cover and underestimated by 11% had we not corrected for foliage that is below the high tide mark. Had we made neither correction, we would have overestimated litter fall by 17%. Among communities, rates varied 2.6-fold per unit area of canopy, and 3.9-fold among unit area of community. Seaward fringe mangroves were the most productive per unit of canopy area but the canopy was relatively open; Tidal creek forest was the most productive per unit area of community. Litter fall varied 1.1-fold among years and 2.0-fold among months though communities exhibited a range of seasonalities. Our study may be the most extensively stratified and sampled evaluation of mangrove litter fall in a tropical estuary. We believe our study is also the first such assessment to explicitly deal with canopy discontinuities and demonstrates that failure to do so can result in considerable overestimation of mangrove productivity.     

The exchange of organic carbon in basin mangrove forests in a southwest Florida estuary

The magnitude and seasonality of organic carbon exchange was estimated for two basin mangrove forests in Rookery Bay, Florida. Runoff and tidal inundation in the forests were seasonal with half the annual total of each occurring from August to October. In each forest there were 152 tides yr^?1 with a cumulative depth of about 12 m. Total organic carbon increased in bay waters exporting from the mangroves following a flood tide and peak concentrations were associated with export due to rainfall. The amount of net export from each basin forest was similar, although the concentration of organic carbon in each were different. Monthly net organic carbon export was proportional to the cumulative tidal amplitude within the forest. Total organic carbon export was 64 gC m^?2 yr^?1 and DOC was 75% of the total. A comparison of organic carbon export among riverine, fringe and basin mangroves suggests that tidal hydrology influences the proportion of litter fall that is exported from mangroves; and the magnitude of this organic carbon export from mangroves is related to the cumulative tidal amplitude within the forests.     

Factors controlling litter input dynamics in streams draining pasture,pine, and native forest catchments

The effects of varying land use on the inputs of litter to streams were investigated in nine small Waikato, New Zealand, hill country streams between June 1995 and October 1997. Mass, timing, and composition of both vertical and lateral litter inputs were measured. Litter inputs to pasture streams were lower than those to streams in native or exotic pine forest. Litter inputs to native forest streams peaked in summer, with leaf material forming the dominant litter‐type throughout the year. The pine forest sites showed a winter minimum, with a pulse of reproductive litter (pollen heads) in spring. One pasture site, where riparian vegetation included willow and poplar showed an autumnal peak, with low inputs at other times of the year. Climate variables (air temperature, rainfall, and windrun) varied in their power of prediction of litter inputs. Mean air temperature showed a strong positive relationship with monthly litter input at the most intensively sampled native forest site. Annual litter inputs were positively related to canopy cover, although canopy‐type modified this relationship. At several sites lateral inputs of litter showed a positive relationship with the slope of the contributing area. Overall, lateral inputs were positively related to % unvegetated groundcover. In open pastures the combination of a lack of riparian trees, and the potential litter‐trapping capacity of pasture grasses, severely limits inputs of coarse particulate organic matter to streams.