Tree height, canopy cover, and leaf litter production of Rhizophora apiculata in Baganga, Davao Oriental, Philippines
Mangrove leaf litter production is essential for the export of organic matter and nutrient cycle as it subsidizes the food requirements of benthic organisms in the soft-bottom ecosystem. This study aimed to determine the different variables of mangrove trees using Rhizophora apiculata. Da...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academia.edu Journals
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Academia Biology |
| Online Access: | https://www.academia.edu/98963242/Tree_height_canopy_cover_and_leaf_litter_production_of_Rhizophora_apiculata_in_Baganga_Davao_Oriental_Philippines |
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| Summary: | Mangrove leaf litter production is essential for the export of organic matter and nutrient cycle as it subsidizes the food requirements of benthic organisms in the soft-bottom ecosystem. This study aimed to determine the different variables of mangrove trees using Rhizophora apiculata. Data was collected six times in the established sampling sites for three months using quadrats. A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to differentiate the various tree leaf litter weights. Results showed that mangrove trees found in quadrant 2 produced leaf litter with a total of 2,926 g, followed by mangroves in quadrant 1 (933 g), quadrant 3 (646 g), and quadrant 4 (609 g). In terms of biomass, plant 9 (25.48 g) of quadrant 1 and plant 8 (28.10 g) of quadrant 2 had higher biomass followed by plant 2 (25.08 g) of quadrant 3 and plant 10 (16.66 g) of quadrant 4. All the measured variables (tree height, canopy cover, circumference at breast height, and longest branch) did not predict the oven-dry weight (P = 0.428) or the sun-exposed dry weight (P = 0.191) of the leaf litter produced. But in terms of leaf litter weight e.g., oven-dry weight, sun-exposed dry weight, and fresh weight, there were highly significant differences (df = 2, MS = 197102, F = 36.08, P = 0.000). Leaf litter production might be related to other external factors other than the measured variables in this study. Nevertheless, studies on leaf litter should be funded for their role in subsidizing adjacent ecosystems. |
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| ISSN: | 2837-4010 |