Comparison of biomass and net primary productivity among three species in a subtropical mangrove forest at Manko Wetland, Okinawa, Japan

• Published in: Regional studies in marine science Vol. 25; p. 100475
• Main Authors: Kamruzzaman, Md, Mouctar, Kamara, Sharma, Sahadev, Osawa, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Biomass; Long term litterfall; Mangrove ecosystems; Primary productivity; Stand structure; Primary productivity; Mangrove ecosystems; Long term litterfall; Biomass; Stand structure
• ISSN: 2352-4855; 2352-4855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2018.100475

This study was conducted to quantify and compare the above- and belowground biomass, litterfall and net primary productivity of three mangrove species in the family Rhizophoraceae: Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia obovata, and Rhizophora stylosa, in Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan. A total of thirty five plots were monitored over five years. The studied mangrove stands of all three species were mostly dominated by a large number of small sized trees. Total above-ground biomass of B. gymnorrhiza, K. obovata, and R. stylosa was 64.9,111.6, and 208.290.6 Mg ha−1, respectively. There was no significant difference in AGB between B. gymnorrhiza and K. obovata, but AGB of both of these species differed significantly from that of R. stylosa. Similarly, there was no significant difference in total BGB between B. gymnorrhiza and R. stylosa, but BGB of both of these species differed significantly from that of K. obovata AGB and BGB of K. obovata increased with increasing basal area of this species. On the other hand, in case of AGB and BGB of B. gymnorrhiza and R. stylosa, it did not show any relationship with basal area of the respective species. The average annual rate of above-ground biomass increment was 15.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in the R. stylosa stands. Hence, R. stylosa stands recored a higher AGNPP (43.8 Mg ha−1 yr−1) than B. gymnorrhiza (17.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1) and K. obovata (22.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Annual total litterfall rates for B. gymnorrhiza, K. obovata, and R. stylosa during the five-year period was 10.1, 9.9, and 12.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The annual rate of NPP in the R. stylosa stands was greater than that of two other species. R. stylosa was the most productive tree in the mangroves of Manko Wetland area in terms of dry matter production. •Species composition and stand structure of the mangrove communities was investigated.•AGB, BGB, litterfall, and net primary productivity were analyzed and compared.•Rhizophora stylosa at Manko wetland is a faster growing as well as more productive mangrove species compared to other species.