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Long-term patterns of growth and survival of mangrove seedlings in Micronesia

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Abstract

Seedlings of two species of mangroves, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora apiculata, were monitored for 8 years on the Pacific island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, to determine the effects of canopy cover and hydrogeomorphic zone on long-term survival and growth. Annual rainfall is high with little seasonality. Study plots with seedling subplots were in fringe, riverine, and interior hydrogeomorphic zones along four small rivers. The height of each seedling was measured each year and was designated each time as being under an open, partially closed, or closed canopy. Growth rates of both species were slow, and no seedling that was newly established during the study became a sapling (2 m). Many seedlings stopped growing for long periods of time. Bruguiera seedlings were more numerous than Rhizophora seedlings. They grew faster than Rhizophora seedlings except in riverine zones. Predicted growth rates of Bruguiera were fastest under an open canopy and slowest under a closed canopy, but Rhizophora was not affected by canopy status. Overall mortality rates for the two species were similar, averaging 36% year−1. El-Niño-Southern Oscillation events did not affect growth or mortality but may have caused some defoliation.

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Data availability

Data archive: Ewel, Katherine C. 2022. Mangrove seedling measurements at Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2022-0069

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Acknowledgements

This paper is dedicated to the late Erick Waguk, Kosrae State Forester, who participated enthusiastically in this project throughout its duration. He regularly communicated research progress to his fellow Kosraeans and understood the long-term value of protecting the research sites. An earlier study by Z. Pinzón provided the inspiration for this project. G. Cornelius, S. Abraham, and N. Nena provided administrative support at many stages. T. Cole and E. Waguk assisted in plot establishment and data collecting for many years; T. Cole oversaw data management and prepared Figs. 1 and 2. Also field assistance was provided by J. Allen, K. Bonine, J. Bourgeois, P. Brooks, N. Cormier, J. Hariguchi, R. Hauff, K. Isisaki, J. Jack, K. Krauss, R. MacKenzie, M. Nena, M. Palik, T. Tara, and S. Zheng. We thank W. Cropper, Jr., J. Allen, J. Ewel, G. Gilbert, and three anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript.

Funding

 This study was funded by the USDA Forest Service.

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  1. Katherine C. Ewel

    Present address: School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 60 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI, 96720, USA

    Katherine C. Ewel

  2. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA, 94710, USA

    James Baldwin

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KCE conceived of and carried out the study. JB cleaned the data set and designed, conducted, and interpreted the statistical analysis. KCE wrote most of the text.

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Correspondence to Katherine C. Ewel.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest. No external funds were used in this research.

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Guest editors: Andre A. Padial, Dennis F. Whigham, Ken W. Krauss, & Emily M. Dangremond / Emerging Studies in Aquatic Sciences – an Homage to Dr. Brij Gopal’s Legacy

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Ewel, K.C., Baldwin, J. Long-term patterns of growth and survival of mangrove seedlings in Micronesia. Hydrobiologia 851, 1679–1696 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-05041-1

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