Title

Trapping Of Rhizophora Mangle Propagules By Coexisting Early Successional Species

Keywords

Batis maritima; Facilitation; Mangrove restoration; Nurse plants; Sarcocornia perennis

Abstract

Distributions of mangroves in coastal wetlands are influenced by abiotic conditions and the net effect of biotic interactions, including competition, facilitation, and consumer pressure. In coastal wetlands, early successional shrubs, herbs, and grasses may facilitate recruitment of mangroves through multiple mechanisms, including amelioration of environmental conditions, propagule trapping, and structural support. In Mosquito Lagoon, FL, we observed an aggregated distribution of Rhizophora mangle propagules along vegetated shorelines with Batis maritima and Sarcocornia perennis and hypothesized that this distribution was a result of propagule trapping by the vegetation. We designed a field experiment to evaluate retention of R. mangle propagules on vegetated and unvegetated shorelines in Mosquito Lagoon. Significant differences were found in the retention time of mangrove propagules at each shoreline type, with vegetated shorelines retaining propagules significantly longer than unvegetated shorelines. Results from this study help to define facilitative mechanisms which may be important in successional processes of coastal wetlands and have direct restoration applications. Successful recovery of mangroves at restoration sites may be facilitated by establishment of B. maritima and S. perennis, when natural propagule sources are available, or through planting mangrove seedlings into existing stands of these halophytes when restoration areas are propagule-limited.

Publication Date

10-31-2014

Publication Title

Estuaries and Coasts

Volume

37

Issue

6

Number of Pages

1562-1571

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-014-9789-2

Socpus ID

84930818873 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84930818873

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