Nutrient Dynamics in an Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., Mangrove Forest in Vamleshwar, Gujarat, India

The study was carried out to determine the nutrient budget of plants, sediments and nutrient dynamics in an Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., dominated forest in Vamleshwar near Narmada estuary, West Coast of Gujarat for a period of one year from November 2008 to October 2009. The average tree heigh...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Isaiah Nirmal KUMAR, Poliyaparambil Ravi SAJISH, Rita Nirmal KUMAR, George BASIL, Viyol SHAILENDRA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT) 2011-03-01
Series:Notulae Scientia Biologicae
Online Access:http://notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/5594
Description
Summary:The study was carried out to determine the nutrient budget of plants, sediments and nutrient dynamics in an Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., dominated forest in Vamleshwar near Narmada estuary, West Coast of Gujarat for a period of one year from November 2008 to October 2009. The average tree height of the mangrove is 1.5 to 2 m without much vertical stratification. Allometric methodology was used to measure the biomass, and yield a figure of 86.47 t ha-1 and the litter fall rate amounted to 2.9 t ha-1. Nutrient stocks of N, P and K in this mangrove were 137.05, 14.38 and 241.29 kg ha-1, with an annual accumulation of 55.74, 12.38 and 83.94 kg ha-1, and an annual return of 51.30, 10.83 and 13.52 kg ha-1, respectively, in the form of litter. The annual uptake for N, P and K were 61.04, 14.28 and 97.46 kg ha-1, and turnover rates of N, P and K were estimated at 3, 6 and 14 years, respectively, for the study period. Flow coefficients, which reveal the dynamic processes of nutrients between mangrove plants and sediments, are also explained. The present study concluded that the A. marina dominated mangrove plantation is more efficient in nutrient use and conservation.
ISSN:2067-3205
2067-3264