Is Laguncularia racemosa more invasive than Sonneratia apetala in northern Fujian, China in terms of leaf energetic cost?

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 152; p. 110897
• Main Authors: Li, F.L., Zhong, L., Cheung, S.G., Wong, Y.S., Shin, P.K.S., Lei, A.P., Zhou, H.C., Song, X., Tam, N.F.Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Afforestation; Construction cost (CC); Construction costs; Diameters; Introduced species; Invasive species; Invasiveness; Laguncularia racemosa; Leaves; Mangrove swamps; Mangroves; Sonneratia apetala; China; Mangroves; Laguncularia racemosa; Construction cost (CC); Sonneratia apetala; Invasiveness
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110897

Laguncularia racemosa and Sonneratia apetala are fast-growing exotic mangrove species in Southern China and widely used for afforestation. However, the invasiveness of the two exotic species is still unclear. We compared structural and physiological traits and energy-use related traits between L. racemosa and S. apetala, and with two natives (Kandelia obovata and Aegiceras corniculatum) in northern Fujian. Results showed that leaf construction cost based on mass (CCM) and caloric values of L. racemosa were significantly lower than S. apetala, and the two natives had highest CCM. Because lower CCM, L. racemosa grew faster with a taller height (4.83 m) and wider ground diameter circumference (40.03 cm) than S. apetala (4.43 m tall and 35.63 cm wide) and the two natives (2.42 m tall and 26.78 cm wide). These findings indicated that L. racemosa could be more invasive than S. apetala in mangrove forests in northern Fujian, China where it still grew well, which deserves more attention. •CCM (CC on mass) of Laguncularia racemosa was lower than Sonneratia apetala and two native species.•CCA (CC on area) of exotic species (L. racemosa and S. apetala) were comparable.•Caloric value of two exotic species was lower than the native mangrove plants.•L. racemosa grew faster with wider stem diameters and taller trees than other mangrove species.•L. racemosa was more aggressive and might be more invasive than S. apetala in northern Fujian, China.