Abstract:
Litters from 3 stands of mangrove (4-year-old, 6-year-old, 8-year-old
Laguncularia racemosa ) were collected in the area of Fugong along the tributary of Jiulong River estuary, Fujian. An analysis of the abundance, composition and seasonal dynamics of litterfall of
L. racemosa showed that the annual litterfall was up to 10 930.1, 12 085.3 and 13 723.4 kg/hm
2 in
L. racemosa at the ages of 4, 6 and 8 years, respectively. The leaves, being major component of the litterfall, at the ages of 4, 6, 8 years during the entire year, accounted for 86.16%, 77.47% and 81.30% of the total production,respectively. The proportions of branches, flowers and fruits of the litterfall were smaller. There was significant seasonal variation among ages, the seasonal variation of the litterfall of
L. racemosa at the ages of 4, 6, 8 years can be defined as bimodal type.
L. racemosa plantations at the ages of 4 and 6 years reached the peaks in May and September, whereas
L. racemosa plantations at the ages of 8 years reached the peaks in April and September. The variation patterns of the leaves at different ages were the same with their own annual litterfall, but the variation patterns of branches, flowers and fruits of
L. racemosa at the ages of 4, 6, 8 years were different. The results of the study can be taken as reference for the management of
L. racemosa plantation.