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

• Published in: Plant and soil 2013-09, Vol.370 (1/2), p.393-406
• Main Authors: Da Cruz, Cleise Cordeiro, Mendoza, Ursula Neira, Queiroz, Joaquim Barbosa, Berrêdo, José Francisco, Da Costa Neto, Salustiano Vilar, Lara, Rubén Jose
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic plants; Avicennia germinans; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Distribution; Dry season; Ecology; Environmental aspects; Forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Laguncularia racemosa; Leaves; Life Sciences; Mangrove forests; Mangrove plants; Mangrove soils; Phosphorus; Phosphorus content; Plant Physiology; Plant populations; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Population biology; Pore water; Regular Article; Rhizophora mangle; Salinity; Sedimentary soils; Sediments; Soil moisture; Soil salinity; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil water; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; Trees; Vegetation; Vegetation dynamics; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-013-1619-y

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.