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Structure and productivity along a tree height gradient in a Kandelia obovata mangrove forest in the Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan

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Abstract

Tree height (H) of Kandelia obovata trees decreased sharply from 5 m at the forest interior behind the terrestrial forest to 1.5 m at the forest edge near the river bank according to an increase in the yearly waterlogged period along a belt transect. The decreasing tree stature was attributed to a decrease in the asymptote of H in the D 0.1 (stem diameter at H/10)-H relationship toward the edge. The K. obovata trees were well classified into interior and edge types using a discriminant function based on the habitat-specific D 0.1–H relationships. Allometric equations, as a function of D 20.1 H, differed significantly between the interior and edge types in the estimation of the phytomasses of stems and leaves, and the leaf area per tree. On the other hand, common allometric equations were successfully established in the estimation of respective phytomasses of aboveground parts and branches. Biomass and leaf area index decreased toward the forest edge. The biomass allocation to stems decreased toward the edge, whereas those to branches and leaves increased. A dramatic change in stem diameter increment resulted in differences in the D 0.1–H relationship along the tree height gradient. Relative growth rate of biomass and light-saturated net photosynthesis, which paralleled net assimilation rate from the interior to the edge, showed their maximum peaks in the middle of the belt transect. This indicates that there exists an optimal environmental condition for growth of K. obovata trees. Leaf nitrogen content tended to increase to the edge with increasing waterlogged period.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. S. M. Feroz and Mr. H. A. T. M. Rafiqul for providing helpful suggestions. This study was partially supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (nos. 16201009 and 16651009) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan, and the 21st Century COE program of the University of the Ryukyus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Rempei Suwa & Akio Hagihara

  2. Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan

    Kangkuso Analuddin

  3. Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh

    Md. Nabiul Islam Khan

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  1. Rempei Suwa
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  2. Kangkuso Analuddin
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  3. Md. Nabiul Islam Khan
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  4. Akio Hagihara
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Correspondence to Akio Hagihara.

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Suwa, R., Analuddin, K., Khan, M.N.I. et al. Structure and productivity along a tree height gradient in a Kandelia obovata mangrove forest in the Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan. Wetlands Ecol Manage 16, 331–343 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9071-5

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