Canopy gaps formed by mangrove trimming: an experimental test of impact on litter fall and standing litter stock in Southwest Florida (USA)

Mangroves in Florida (USA) are subject to horticultural pruning that may increase the size of canopy gaps and alter rates of litter production and accumulation. Mangrove canopy gap formation is a common phenomenon, known to alter abiotic conditions near the forest floor. Using a series of field experiments in Rookery Bay, Florida, the effects of mangrove trimming on canopy density, mangrove litter production, standing litter stocks, and the decomposition rate of Rhizophora mangle leaves on the forest floor were assessed. Litter trap collections over the year following mangrove trimming indicated that pruned mangrove stands (canopy coverage: 42.8±0.9%; mean±S.E.) produced approximately one-half of the litter of mangrove stands with relatively complete canopies (canopy coverage: 72.1±0.5%). However, there was no significant difference between the mass of standing litter on the forest floor beneath reduced canopy and intact canopy mangroves. Also, R. mangle leaves held on the forest floor in fiberglass litter bags at both reduced canopy and control sites did not decompose at different rates over 28 days. These results indicate that while system-wide mangrove litter production should be reduced by the formation of these gaps in mangrove forests, postproduction influences may obscure any site-specific declines in standing litter stocks.     

Flowering patterns in three neotropical mangrove species: Evidence from a Caribbean island

The present study sought to identify the factors that drive flowering in the main neotropical mangrove species. We evaluated the effects of water regime variables and foliar meristematic activity on the flowering intensity of Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia germinans in three physiographic types of San Andres Island, Colombia. The results show that pore salinity regulates flowering intensity and periodicity in all three mangrove species. All species flowering showed significant correlations with water balance and air vapor pressure deficit (VPD). In the fringe and interior mangroves, R. mangle flowering was explained linearly by salinity (25%) and monthly change in salinity (47%), respectively. L. racemosa flowering was linked with stronger periods of foliar meristematic activity and occurred during months of relatively high water balance (54-233 mm) and low VPD (1.18-1.29 kPa). The flowering of A. germinans was triggered by water deficit conditions when the monthly pore salinity increased over 30 g L⁻¹ and, with a month delay response, when the water column height (WCH) was below ground. The flowering of A. germinans was also explained by these variables at 65% and 39%, respectively. The flowering patterns of the studied mangrove species indicate that reproduction within the neotropical mangrove community depends on seasonally contrasting water conditions on an annual basis.     

Herbivore feeding preferences as measured by leaf damage and stomatal ingestion: a mangrove crab example

The diet of the mangrove crab, Aratus pisonii, was assessed by determining the percent of damaged leaves at selected mangrove communities and by examining herbivore gut contents. This study compared the utility of both methods and tested if comparable levels of damage and dietary preference occurred using the methods. Percent of damaged leaves was determined for the three species of mangroves within Tampa Bay, FL, USA, including: the red, black, and white mangroves (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa, respectively) in four 5×10-m quadrats during summer 2001. For each species, in each of the quadrats, 200 leaves per tree were assessed for the presence or absence of crab damage. A. pisonii were sampled from the same quadrats from which leaf damage data were collected. Stomach contents were dissected and food items were classified into a number of categories.Species damaged and preferred were determined by comparing relative numbers of mangrove leaf stomata from the three mangrove species in gut contents. Results suggested that both methods provide similar estimates of preference. R. mangle leaves were preferred over those of A. germinans and L. racemosa. The percent of R. mangle leaves with damage was about 20-30 times greater than the other species, and R. mangle leaf stomata were 3 to 20 times more abundant in crab guts compared to leaf stomata of the other species. Gut contents indicated that A. pisonii is omnivorous, that average-sized adult crabs (1.4-1.7-cm width) prefer R. mangle, and that the diet of males is more varied than of females. While use of both percent leaf damage and crab gut contents reliably indicates preference, gut contents may describe better the actual diet and elucidate trends for different size or sex classes within a population.     

Relation of water transport to leaf gas exchange properties in three mangrove species

Mangrove species more tolerant to salinity may function with less efficient water transport, which may be related to more conservative water use. To test the hypothesis, we investigate the gas exchange and hydraulic properties of three mangrove species: Rhizophora mangle L., Laguncularia racemosa Gaert and Avicennia germinans (L.)L. Experiments were performed with adult plants growing naturally in the field under a salinity of 35‰. Gas exchange parameters showed that A. germinans had significantly higher photosynthetic rates, and lower stomatal conductance and transpiration rates, compared to the other two mangroves. In concert with this, instantaneous water use efficiency was significantly high in A. germinans, intermediate in L. racemosa and lowest in R. mangle. The hydraulic parameters of the three mangrove species were in the lowest end of the range reported for tropical trees. However, the three mangrove species exhibited measurable differences in hydraulic parameters related to the control of water requirements for maintenance of carbon gain. L. racemosa and A. germinans showed less efficient water transport at shoot level but were the more efficient species in water use at the leaf level in comparison to R. mangle. Received: 7 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 July 1999     

Increasing fluctuations of soil salinity affect seedling growth performances and physiology in three Neotropical mangrove species

Background

Micro-tidal wetlands are subject to strong seasonal variations of soil salinity that are likely to increase in amplitude according to climate model predictions for the Caribbean. Whereas the effects of constant salinity levels on the physiology of mangrove species have been widely tested, little is known about acclimation to fluctuations in salinity.

Aims and methods

The aim of this experiment was to characterize the consequences of the rate of increase in salinity (slow versus fast) and salinity fluctuations over time versus constant salt level. Seedling mortality, growth, and leaf gas exchange of three mangrove species, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle were investigated in semicontrolled conditions at different salt levels (0, 685, 1025, and 1370 mM NaCl).

Results

Slow salinity increase up to 685 mM induced acclimation, improving the salt tolerance of A. germinans and L. racemosa, but had no effect on R. mangle. During fluctuations between 0 and 685 mM, A. germinans and R. mangle were not affected by a salinity drop to zero, whereas L. racemosa took advantage of the brief freshwater episode as shown by the durable improvement of photosynthesis and biomass production.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into physiological resistance and acclimation to salt stress. We show that seasonal variations of salinity may affect mangrove seedlings’ morphology and physiology as much as annual mean salinity. Moreover, more severe dry seasons due to climate change may impact tree stature and species composition in mangroves through higher mortality rates and physiological disturbance at the seedling stage.     

Root biomechanics in Rhizophora mangle: anatomy,morphology and ecology of mangrove’s flying buttresses

Background and Aims Rhizophora species of mangroves have a conspicuous system of stilt-like roots (rhizophores) that grow from the main stem and resemble flying buttresses. As such, the development of rhizophores can be predicted to be important for the effective transmission of dynamic loads from the top of the tree to the ground, especially where the substrate is unstable, as is often the case in the habitats where Rhizophora species typically grow. This study tests the hypothesis that rhizophore architecture in R. mangle co-varies with their proximity to the main stem, and with stem size and crown position.Methods The allometry and wood mechanical properties of R. mangle (red mangrove) trees growing in a mangrove basin forest within a coastal lagoon in Mexico were compared with those of coexisting, non-buttressed mangrove trees of Avicennia germinans. The anatomy of rhizophores was related to mechanical stress due to crown orientation (static load) and to prevailing winds (dynamic load) at the study site.Key Results Rhizophores buttressed between 10 and 33 % of tree height. There were significant and direct scaling relationships between the number, height and length of rhizophores vs. basal area, tree height and crown area. Wood mechanical resistance was significantly higher in the buttressed R. mangle (modulus of elasticity, MOE = 18·1 ± 2 GPa) than in A. germinans (MOE = 12·1 ± 0·5 GPa). Slenderness ratios (total height/stem diameter) were higher in R. mangle, but there were no interspecies differences in critical buckling height. When in proximity to the main stem, rhizophores had a lower length/height ratio, higher eccentricity and higher xylem/bark and pith proportions. However, there were no directional trends with regard to prevailing winds or tree leaning.Conclusions In comparison with A. germinans, a tree species with wide girth and flare at the base, R. mangle supports a thinner stem of higher mechanical resistance that is stabilized by rhizophores resembling flying buttresses. This provides a unique strategy to increase tree slenderness and height in the typically unstable substrate on which the trees grow, at a site that is subject to frequent storms.     

Small Gap Creation in Belizean Mangrove Forests by a Wood–Boring Insect1

We investigated the role of wood-boring insects in the creation of light gaps within mangrove forests. We compared the frequency of gaps caused by wood borers to other gap-forming processes and characterized the physical attributes of light gaps in mangrove forests on small islands in Belize. Methods of quantifying light gaps included aerial photography, ground surveys, and experimental plots. Small light gaps (≤12 m²) were very common in Rhizophom mangle fringe, comprising almost 22 percent of these forests. Rhizophora mangle gaps were smaller than gaps in Avicennia germinans forests. In R. mangle forests, gaps were caused by branch death, and in A. germinans forests, gaps were caused primarily by downed trees. More than 91 percent of the gap-forming branches and boles in the R. mangle fringe were killed by a wood-boring cerambycid beetle, Elaphidion mimeticum, indicating that it is the major cause of small-scale disturbances in these forests. No trees or branches in the A. germinans forest were attacked by this beetle. In R. mangle forests, small gaps had significantly higher light levels and soil temperatures than areas under the closed canopy; however, soil conditions for sulfide concentrations, porewater salinity, and redox potentials were similar in small gaps and under the closed canopy. Survival of R. mangle, A. germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa seedlings was also higher inside these small gaps, indicating their importance in regeneration of mangrove forests. Feeding by wood borers is thus an important type of indirect herbivory in mangrove forests, with a critical role in ecological processes such as gap dynamics.     

Distribution of mangrove vegetation along inundation, phosphorus, and salinity gradients on the Bragança Peninsula in Northern Brazil

Background and aims

The Bragança Peninsula, in northern Brazil is characterized by macrotides (4 m) and specific edaphic conditions, which determine the local mangrove forest’s development. This study, conducted during the dry season evaluated the spatial patterns of Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans species across an inundation gradient.

Methods

Along a transect of 700 m, measurements of structure forest, soil moisture, porewater salinity, extractable phosphorus (extr.-P) in sediments, and phosphorus in the leaves (leaf-P) were conducted.

Result

The A. germinans (100 %) occurred in high intertidal (HI) zone. A. germinans (59 %) and R. mangle (41 %) co-occurred in mid intertidal (MI) zone, while R. mangle (58 %) predominated in low intertidal (LI) zone, followed by A. germinans (37 %) and Laguncularia racemosa (5 %). Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) indicated that salinity and soil moisture means are significantly different between the mangrove forests, but do not correlate with inundation frequency (IF). The means of extr.-P were significantly different in mangrove forests and correlated with IF and leaf-P.

Conclusion

The inundation frequency, the availability of P in the sediments, phosphorus in the leaves and interstitial salinity are all important factors contributing to the distribution of the mangrove tree species A. germinans and R. mangle on the Bragança Peninsula.     

Seedling survivorship,growth, and response to disturbance in Belizean mangal

Species zonation patterns across tidal gradients in mangrove forests are formed by successful seedling establishment and maintained by replacement of adults by conspecific seedlings. These two processes rarely have been examined experimentally in neotropical mangal. We studied survivorship and growth of seedlings of two species of mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L. and Avicennia germinans (L.) Steam, across a tidal gradient in Belize, Central America. Propagules of each species were planted in common gardens at tidal elevations corresponding to lowest low water (LLW), mean water (MW), and highest high water (HHW). Sixty-nine percent of Rhizophora seedlings planted at MW and 56% of those planted at LLW survived 1 year. Forty-seven percent of MW Avicennia seedlings also survived 1 year. No individuals of either species survived at HHW, and neither did any LLW Avicennia seedlings. Among the surviving Rhizophora seedlings, LLW seedlings grew more rapidly in terms of height, diameter, leaf production, and biomass than did MW seedlings. Insect herbivory was twice as high on MW seedlings as on LLW Rhizophora seedlings. We also examined the response of established Rhizophora seedlings to experimental removal of the adult Rhizophora canopy. Seedlings in canopy removal areas had higher survivorship, grew twice as fast, produced more leaves, and had less than half the herbivory of seedlings growing beneath an intact canopy. These results provide insights into underlying causes and maintenance of zonation in Caribbean mangrove forests.     

Association between pore water sulfide concentrations and the distribution of mangroves

At Humingbird Cay, Exuma, Bahamas, distributions of bothRhizophora mangle (red mangrove) andAvicennia germinans (black mangrove) are closely correlated with amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the soil.R. mangle is primarily distributed within large areas of low to moderate H₂S concentrations (mean= 40 mg/l). H₂S levels underA. germinans are lower (mean = 22 mg/l), but the area immediately beyond their root zone often has extremely high sulfide concentrations (mean= 120 mg/l). These results suggest that past attempts to explain mangrove distribution in terms of monotonic soil gradients, the dispersal characteristics of propagules, and interspecific competition are incomplete, and that it will be necessary to examine the link between soil sulfur chemistry and mangrove distribution more fully.     

Post-Glacial Expansion and Population Genetic Divergence of Mangrove Species Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn and Rhizophora mangle L. along the Mexican Coast

Mangrove forests in the Gulf of California, Mexico represent the northernmost populations along the Pacific coast and thus they are likely to be source populations for colonization at higher latitudes as climate becomes more favorable. Today, these populations are relatively small and fragmented and prior research has indicated that they are poor in genetic diversity. Here we set out to investigate whether the low diversity in this region was a result of recent colonization, or fragmentation and genetic drift of once more extensive mangroves due to climatic changes in the recent past. By sampling the two major mangrove species, Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans, along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico, we set out to test whether concordant genetic signals could elucidate recent evolution of the ecosystem. Genetic diversity of both mangrove species showed a decreasing trend toward northern latitudes along the Pacific coast. The lowest levels of genetic diversity were found at the range limits around the Gulf of California and the outer Baja California peninsula. Lack of a strong spatial genetic structure in this area and recent northern gene flow in A. germinans suggest recent colonization by this species. On the other hand, lack of a signal of recent northern dispersal in R. mangle, despite the higher dispersal capability of this species, indicates a longer presence of populations, at least in the southern Gulf of California. We suggest that the longer history, together with higher genetic diversity of R. mangle at the range limits, likely provides a gene pool better able to colonize northwards under climate change than A. germinans.     

Are mangroves in the tropical Atlantic ripe for invasion? Exotic mangrove trees in the forests of South Florida

Two species of mangrove trees of Indo-Pacific origin have naturalized in tropical Atlantic mangrove forests in South Florida after they were planted and nurtured in botanic gardens. Two Bruguiera gymnorrhiza trees that were planted in the intertidal zone in 1940 have given rise to a population of at least 86 trees growing interspersed with native mangrove species Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa along 100 m of shoreline; the population is expanding at a rate of 5.6% year⁻¹. Molecular genetic analyses confirm very low genetic diversity, as expected from a population founded by two individuals. The maximum number of alleles at any locus was three, and we measured reduced heterozygosity compared to native-range populations. Lumnitzera racemosa was introduced multiple times during the 1960s and 1970s, it has spread rapidly into a forest composed of native R. mangle, A. germinans, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus and now occupies 60,500 m² of mangrove forest with stem densities of 24,735 ha⁻¹. We estimate the population growth rate of Lumnitzera racemosa to be between 17 and 23% year⁻¹. Populations of both species of naturalized mangroves are dominated by young individuals. Given the long life and water-dispersed nature of propagules of the two exotic species, it is likely that they have spread beyond our survey area. We argue that the species-depauperate nature of tropical Atlantic mangrove forests and close taxonomic relatives in the more species-rich Indo-Pacific region result in the susceptibility of tropical Atlantic mangrove forests to invasion by Indo-Pacific mangrove species.     

Investigating the role of impoundment and forest structure on the resistance and resilience of mangrove forests to hurricanes

The present study evaluates how a prolonged artificial flooding regime in impounded mangrove forests influences the regeneration after medium-sized forest destruction created by two hurricanes in 2004 in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA. Disturbance patterns, forest structure, and regeneration were investigated. We found disturbed areas, characterized by uprooted and snapped trees, and intact forests in close proximity. The canopy turnover was greater in forests in higher succession stages with median tree diameter at breast height of 7.6 ± 5.7 cm compared to the intact forest with 3.7 ± 1.2 cm. Larger trees with lower densities were more susceptible to hurricane damage. We observed that regeneration of the open patches was dominated by the flood-tolerant species Rhizophora mangle (89.9%) instead of the faster-growing pioneer species Laguncularia racemosa (7.0%). Some of the disturbed areas created by the hurricanes were not recolonized. The regeneration rate of the disturbed areas expressed by vegetation closure >50% differed between almost zero to 100% in three different impoundments. We concluded that the artificial flooding regime imposed by impoundment is the predominant selective force in the successive process according to the species composition. However, we were not able to detect the driving factors that prevented mangrove establishment in disturbed areas.     

Long-Term Growth and Succession in Restored and Natural Mangrove Forests in Southwestern Florida

We compared colonization, growth and succession from 1989 to 2000 in a restored mangrove site and in gap and closed canopy sites in a natural mangrove forest. The restored site was created in 1982 and planted with Rhizophora mangle (≈2 m⁻²) propagules. By 1989, Laguncularia racemosa, with densities up to 12.9 tree m⁻², was a dominant in all plots, although densities were greater at edge plots relative to inner plots, and near open water (west plots) relative to further inland (east plots), and in tall mangrove plots relative to scrub plots. Rhizophora mangle (1989 tree densities about 2 m⁻²) was a codominant in inner and scrub plots, while Avicennia germinans had the lowest densities (<1 tree m⁻²) in all plots. From 1989 to 2000 L. racemosa experienced reduced recruitment and apparent density-dependent mortality of canopy individuals in plots with high initial densities. Scrub plots experienced high rates of colonization by R. mangle and L. racemosa, rapid growth in height of all species (1989–1996), followed by a dieoff of L. racemosa in later years (1997–2000) as the canopy came to resemble that of tall mangrove plots. Colonization and growth rates were lower in gap and closed canopy regions of the natural forest relative to rates in the restored site. After 11 years, densities of L. racemosa were 10–20× lower and R. mangle slightly less in the gap relative to densities in tall mangrove plots in the restored site at the same age. Although the restored stand had converged with the natural forest by 2000 in terms of some factors such as species richness, vegetation cover, litterfall, and light penetration, trees were still much smaller and stem densities much higher. Full development of mature structure and ecological function will likely require decades more development.     

Standing crop and aboveground biomass partitioning of a dwarf mangrove forest in Taylor River Slough,Florida

The structure and standing crop biomass of a dwarf mangrove forest, located in the salinity transition zone ofTaylor River Slough in the Everglades National Park, were studied. Although the four mangrove species reported for Florida occurred at the study site, dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees dominated the forest. The structural characteristics of the mangrove forest were relatively simple: tree height varied from 0.9 to 1.2 meters, and tree density ranged from 7062 to 23 778 stems ha^–1. An allometric relationship was developed to estimate leaf, branch, prop root, and total aboveground biomass of dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees. Total aboveground biomass and their components were best estimated as a power function of the crown area times number of prop roots as an independent variable (Y = B × X^–0.5083). The allometric equation for each tree component was highly significant (p<0.0001), with all r² values greater than 0.90. The allometric relationship was used to estimate total aboveground biomass that ranged from 7.9 to 23.2 ton ha^–1. Rhizophora mangle contributed 85% of total standing crop biomass. Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia germinans contributed the remaining biomass. Average aboveground biomass allocation was 69% for prop roots, 25% for stem and branches, and 6% for leaves. This aboveground biomass partitioning pattern, which gives a major role to prop roots that have the potential to produce an extensive root system, may be an important biological strategy in response to low phosphorus availability and relatively reduced soils that characterize mangrove forests in South Florida.     

Seedling recruitment patterns in a Belizean mangrove forest: effects of establishment ability and physico-chemical factors

A field study was conducted to evaluate the relative importance of factors affecting seedling establishment and survival on a mangrove-dominated island in Belize. An examination of spatial patterns of seedling relative densities in relation to reproductive adults and physico-chemical conditions provided correlative information on factors affecting mangrove regeneration patterns. Distance from reproductive adults explained 89–94% of the variation in relative density of Rhizophora mangle seedlings, whereas availability of resources (light and NH₄) explained 73–80% of variation in Avicennia germinans seedling relative density. Just after dispersal (December), 89% of the variation in Laguncularia racemosa seedling relative density was attributable to distance from reproductive adults, but 7 months later (July) 74% of the variation was explained by intensity of flooding- and salinity-related stresses. Survivorship (after 2.5 years) of propagules and seedlings of R. mangle and A. germinans transplanted to zones of contrasting physico-chemical conditions demonstrated that: (1) mortality was highest during the establishment phase and major causes were failure to strand before viability was lost, consumption by predators and desiccation; and (2) after establishment, differences in sensitivity to physicochemical stress factors such as flooding (A. germinans) and initial orientation of the seedling axis (R. mangle) exerted a further influence on seedling survival. The results indicate that seedling recruitment in these neotropical forests is strongly influenced by dispersal patterns, differential establishment abilities and effects of physico-chemical factors that vary with elevation and distance from the shoreline.     

The influence of seasonality in estimating mangrove leaf chlorophyll-a content from hyperspectral data

Mangrove photosynthetic activity and, consequently, physiological stress can be monitored indirectly using leaf chlorophyll-a (Chla) measurements. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of mangrove leaf Chla content estimation from in situ hyperspectral vegetation indices (VI) but no such research has been conducted using data collected from contrasting seasons (i.e. dry and rainy). In this study, mangrove leaves were collected in a sub-tropical forest of the Mexican Pacific for Chla content determination and in situ hyperspectral measurements (450–1,000 nm). Specifically, we tested 35 VI to estimate Chla content based on a leaf sample of 360 collected from the same trees during both the dry and rainy seasons. The forest examined contained three species of mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa) exhibiting various conditions of health (dwarf condition, tall and healthy). A principal component analysis, followed by linear regression analyses, were conducted in order to identify those VI that best predict mangrove leaf Chla content during the two seasons. The results indicate that VI derived from hyperspectral measurements collected during the dry season are better at estimating leaf Chla content than those collected during the rainy season. Among the 35 VI, the Vog1 (R₇₄₀/R₇₂₀) index was found to be the best predictor of mangrove leaf Chla content, resulting in R ² values of 0.80 and 0.68 for the dry and rainy season respectively. These results would suggest that for identifying variation in mangrove forest stress (i.e. health) in sub-tropical regions, hyperspectral measurements should be carried out during the dry season.     

Restoration of mangrove plantations and colonisation by native species in Leizhou bay,South China

To examine the natural colonisation of native mangrove species into remediated exotic mangrove stands in Leizhou Bay, South China, we compared soil physical–chemical properties, community structure and recruitments of barren mangrove areas, native mangrove species plantations, and exotic mangrove species—Sonneratia apetala Buch.Ham—between plantations and natural forest. We found that severely degraded mangrove stands could not regenerate naturally without human intervention due to severely altered local environments, whereas some native species had been recruited into the 4–10 year S. apetala plantations. In the first 10 years, the exotic species S. apetala grew better than native species such as Rhizophora stylosa Griff and Kandelia candel (Linn.) Druce. The mangrove plantation gradually affected soil physical and chemical properties during its recovery. The exotic S. apetala was more competitive than native species and its plantation was able to restore soil organic matter in about 14 years. Thus, S. apetala can be considered as a pioneer species to improve degraded habitats to facilitate recolonisation by native mangrove species. However, removal to control proliferation may be needed at late stages to facilitate growth of native species. To ensure sustainability of mangroves in South China, the existing mangrove wetlands must be managed as an ecosystem, with long-term scientific monitoring program in place.     

Propagule predation in a Neotropical mangrove: the role of the Grapsid crab Goniopsis cruentata

In Neotropical mangroves the crabs Ucides cordatus and Goniopsis cruentata have been considered the most significant propagule consumers, but their relative importance has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude of predation by these crabs on three mangrove species propagules: Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle. We found that G. cruentata is a more important predator than U. cordatus in both natural and restored areas. We also tested the hypothesis that Ucides and Goniopsis have antagonistic effects on propagules predation using a cage experiment where the presence/absence of these species was manipulated in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The effects of Goniopsis were stronger in the absence of Ucides due to negative interactions between these predator species. Moreover, we found that Goniopsis preference for A. schaueriana and L. racemosa can favor the dominance of R. mangle in Neotropical mangroves. This study suggests that propagule predation by Goniopsis should be controlled in mangrove restoration programs at abandoned shrimp farms and destroyed areas, if dominance by R. mangle is undesirable relative to mixed species communities.     

Structure of a unique inland mangrove forest assemblage in fossil lagoons on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico

Scrub mangrove wetlands colonize the intertidal zone of fossil lagoons located in carbonate continental margins along the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. These unique ecological types were investigated in October, 1994, by locating transects in several mangrove forests along the Caribbean coast of the peninsula. Four species of mangrove occurred at these sites including Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, Conocarpus erecta. This is one of the first examples of a species rich scrub forest. The mangroves fell into three height categories: short scrub less than 1.5 m, tall scrub to 3.0 m, and basin forests between 4.5 and 6 m. Average height, diameter (dbh), basal area, and complexity index generally increased from short scrub to basin forests. Basal area, ranged from 0.16 m² ha^–1 in a short scrub forest intermixed with Cladium jamaicense to 12.9 m² ha^–1 in a basin forest. Density ranged from 1520 trees ha^–1 to over 25,000 trees ha^–1 in a short scrub forest dominated by R. mangle. The complexity index ranged from 0.01 to 8.3. Height, dbh, basal area, and complexity index were positively related. A number of trees were growing as sprouts from larger downed trunks, suggesting that hurricanes, such as Gilbert that occurred in 1988, are important in controlling the structure of these forests. These forests appear isolated from the sea, but are influenced by groundwater exchange occurring at the land-margin zone.