Structure and litterfall of an arid mangrove stand on the Gulf of California, Mexico
In: Aquatic Botany. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0304-3770; e-ISSN 1879-1522, more
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| Keywords |
Mangroves
Avicennia germinans (L.) L. [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water |
| Author keywords |
litterfall mangroves; Avicennia germinans; gulf of California; aridcoast |
| Authors | | Top |
- Arreola-Lizárraga, J.A.
- Flores-Verdugo, F.J.
- Ortega-Rubio, A.
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| Abstract |
Structure and litterfall in an Avicennia germinans mangrove stand in an arid zone on the Gulf of California, México were studied. The density (4700 ha−1) and basal area (13.5 m2 ha−1) were more characteristic of a fringe-type mangrove stand, while average height (2.7 m), number of species in 0.1 ha (1), and complexity index (1.7) were closer to those of a dwarf-type mangrove. Structure is jointly influenced by a high rate of evaporation (2982 mm per year), scarce rainfall (290 mm per year, mainly in summer) and a brief period of tidal flooding (also only in the summer). Litterfall averaged 1.75 t ha−1 per year, placing it even lower than the lowest value reported so far for mangrove litterfall (2-16 t ha−1 per year). Litterfall showed a unimodal seasonal pattern, with higher values in summer. Rainfall, sea level and the ratio rainfall/evaporation explained 86% of the seasonal litterfall variability. |
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