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Hydraulic conductivity and xylem structure of partially buried mangrove tree species

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Abstract

Aims

Natural sedimentation rates may not affect mangrove trees adversely, but large and sometimes episodic delivery of sediment may result in decreased growth, dieback or mortality. In this study, we aim to assess the effects of different levels of partial sediment burial on mangrove tree structure and function.

Methods

Trees of Avicennia marina, Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata were experimentally buried with terrestrial sediment to simulate different sedimentation levels (15, 30 and 45 cm). After 14 months, branch hydraulic conductivity, xylem structure and stomatal properties were assessed.

Results

Sedimentation resulted in general increase in hydraulic conductivity following intermediate levels of burial. The process is also associated with varied anatomical modification in vessel grouping, vessel lumen size and potential conductive area in the three investigated mangrove tree species. Additionally, stomatal adjustment was observed in C. tagal with up to 37% reduction of total stomata area in leaves of buried trees.

Conclusions

Although sedimentation may stimulate modification in vessel and stomatal properties of buried mangrove trees after a relatively short period of exposure, these traits may not necessarily be important in ensuring hydraulic conductivity which either increases or remains the same as in control following burial.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge financial support by the Flemish Interuniversity Council-University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS, Flanders, Belgium) and the “Fonds Alice en David Van Buuren” (Brussels, Belgium). E.M.R.R. and N.S. were supported by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO, Flanders, Belgium). P.C. was supported by The C.T. de Wit Graduate School for Production Ecology and Resource Conservation. This work has been carried out under the framework of the VLIR-UOS International Course Programme (ICP) PhD and is also linked to activities conducted within the project ‘CREC’ (EU IRSES #247514).

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Author notes

  1. Nico Koedam and Elisabeth M.R. Robert contributed equally to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management, Mangrove Management Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussels- VUB, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Judith Auma Okello, Nele Schmitz, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Nico Koedam & Elisabeth M.R. Robert

  2. Laboratory of Systems Ecology and Resource Management, Université Libre de Bruxelles- ULB, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, CPI 264/1, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Judith Auma Okello & Farid Dahdouh-Guebas

  3. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya

    Judith Auma Okello & James G. Kairo

  4. Laboratory of Wood Biology and Xylarium, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080, Tervuren, Belgium

    Judith Auma Okello, Nele Schmitz, Hans Beeckman & Elisabeth M.R. Robert

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  1. Judith Auma Okello
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  2. Nele Schmitz
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Correspondence to Judith Auma Okello.

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Okello, J.A., Schmitz, N., Beeckman, H. et al. Hydraulic conductivity and xylem structure of partially buried mangrove tree species. Plant Soil 417, 141–154 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3247-4

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