Reproductive Ecology of Black Mangrove (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia germinans</Emphasis>) Along the Louisiana Coast: Propagule Production Cycles,Dispersal Limitations,and Establishment Elevations |
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Authors: | Lauren K Alleman Mark W Hester |
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Institution: | (1) Great Ecology & Environments, Inc., 2231 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, USA;(2) Coastal Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA |
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Abstract: | Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) reproduces by producing propagules through the process of cryptovivipary, which requires a significant energy investment.
We conducted a series of field and greenhouse studies to track propagule production in years of high and low disturbances
(i.e., hurricanes), the effects of time and salinity on propagule dispersal potential, and the relationship between hydrology
and propagule establishment elevations. Trees tended to produce greater numbers of propagules in years after hurricanes, and
individual trees alternated the amount of energy they invested in reproduction in consecutive years. In the greenhouse, propagule
buoyancy was affected by salinity with propagules in 36 remaining buoyant for over 110 days and establishment success decreasing
with dispersal period length. Finally, a field survey across five sites in southeastern Louisiana revealed that the 2009 cohort
of propagules established at significantly lower elevations than mature trees occurred. These findings elucidate some salient
features of black mangrove reproductive biology in the northern portion of its North American distribution. |
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