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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Vanessa Virapin for the maintenance of the greenhouse and assistance during measurements and Jean Vaillant (UAG, statistics department) for his relevant comments on the statistical analyses. The experiments were financially supported by the Total Foundation. All the opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Total foundation. We gratefully thank Anya Cockle for improving the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EA 926 DYNECAR, UFR des Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, BP 592, 97 159, Pointe-à-Pitre cedex, Guadeloupe (F.W.I.), France

    Felix Bompy, Gauthier Lequeue, Daniel Imbert & Maguy Dulormne

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  1. Felix Bompy
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  2. Gauthier Lequeue
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  3. Daniel Imbert
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  4. Maguy Dulormne
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Correspondence to Maguy Dulormne.

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Responsible Editor: Timothy J. Flowers.

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Bompy, F., Lequeue, G., Imbert, D. et al. Increasing fluctuations of soil salinity affect seedling growth performances and physiology in three Neotropical mangrove species. Plant Soil 380, 399–413 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2100-2

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