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Rapid losses of surface elevation following tree girdling and cutting in tropical mangroves
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 9, p e107868 (2014), Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- The importance of mangrove forests in carbon sequestration and coastal protection has been widely acknowledged. Large-scale damage of these forests, caused by hurricanes or clear felling, can enhance vulnerability to erosion, subsidence and rapid carbon losses. However, it is unclear how small-scale logging might impact on mangrove functions and services. We experimentally investigated the impact of small-scale tree removal on surface elevation and carbon dynamics in a mangrove forest at Gazi bay, Kenya. The trees in five plots of a Rhizophora mucronata (Lam.) forest were first girdled and then cut. Another set of five plots at the same site served as controls. Treatment induced significant, rapid subsidence (-32.1±8.4 mm yr-1 compared with surface elevation changes of +4.2±1.4 mm yr-1 in controls). Subsidence in treated plots was likely due to collapse and decomposition of dying roots and sediment compaction as evidenced from increased sediment bulk density. Sediment effluxes of CO2 and CH4 increased significantly, especially their heterotrophic component, suggesting enhanced organic matter decomposition. Estimates of total excess fluxes from treated compared with control plots were 25.3±7.4 tCO2 ha-1 yr-1 (using surface carbon efflux) and 35.6±76.9 tCO2 ha-1 yr-1 (using surface elevation losses and sediment properties). Whilst such losses might not be permanent (provided cut areas recover), observed rapid subsidence and enhanced decomposition of soil sediment organic matter caused by small-scale harvesting offers important lessons for mangrove management. In particular mangrove managers need to carefully consider the trade-offs between extracting mangrove wood and losing other mangrove services, particularly shoreline stabilization, coastal protection and carbon storage.
- Subjects :
- Conservation of Natural Resources
Geologic Sediments
coastal protection
Mangrove forests
QH301 Biology
Soil Science
lcsh:Medicine
Carbon sequestration
surface temperature
Felling
Rhizophora mucronata (Lam.)
Global Change Ecology
Forest ecology
plant respiration
14. Life underwater
lcsh:Science
Ecosystem
Hydrology
Tropical Climate
Multidisciplinary
Rhizophora mucronata
biology
Ecology
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
lcsh:R
Marine Ecology
carbon dioxide
Sediment
Subsidence (atmosphere)
Biology and Life Sciences
Correction
15. Life on land
Soil Ecology
biology.organism_classification
carbon sequestration
Kenya
Carbon
Erosion
570 Life sciences
Environmental science
Rhizophoraceae
lcsh:Q
Mangrove
Animal and Plant Science Research Group
Coastal Ecology
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PloS one
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e63576d08ee812f4c522d81715fc9b00