Abstract
Litter production of A. germinans was determined during a twelve month period (July, 1994 to June, 1995). Litter traps of 25 cm by 25 cm, with a 1.0 mm mesh size, were suspended above high tide level. Collection of litter was done every two weeks. The litter was dried at 103°C to constant weight and separated into leaves, flowers, fruits and woody parts. Total litter biomass was 1771 (SD 66.7) g m−2y−1, with leaf litter constituting 61.41% of the total. Fruits contributed 24.84%, flowers (8.88%) and woody parts (4.87%). Leaf litter production showed two peaks (a major one in August, 1994 and a minor one in February, 1995). High flower litter production was observed in October and November, 1994, while peak fruit litter was produced in January, 1995. The production of woody parts was spread between November, 1994 and March, 1995 with a slight peak in February, 1995. Great variation was observed in the production of the plant organs within and between sampling stations. It seems litter production is influenced by the inflowing rivers which drain the Amazon Basin, rather than by rainfall in the area.
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Chale, F.M.M. Litter production in an Avicennia Gerrninans (L.) stearn forest in Guyana, South America. Hydrobiologia 330, 47–53 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00020822
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00020822