Authors: C Padilla M D Fortes C M Duarte J Terrados L KampNielsen
Publish Date: 2004/07/10
Volume: 18, Issue: 5, Pages: 589-595
Abstract
Propagule dispersal establishment and recruitment to the sapling stage are critical steps in the life cycle of mangroves Specific ie per capita rates of recruitment and mortality and the growth rates of Rhizophora seedlings in three mangrove stands in Ulugan Bay Palawan Philippines were estimated between March 1999 and February 2001 Recruitment and mortality were variable in space and time with mortality exceeding rates of recruitment at all sites The specific rates of seedling recruitment and mortality were higher in Buenavista 066 year−1 and −167 year−1 than in Umalagan 005 year−1 and −033 year−1 and Oyster Bay 013 year−1 and −024 year−1 The annual rate of production of internodes by the main stem was similar at the three sites 54–55 internodes year−1 but the annual rate of elongation of the main stem was higher in Buenavista 106 cm year−1 than in Oyster Bay 76 cm year−1 and Umalagan 56 cm year−1This study was performed within the framework of the PREDICT project funded by the INCODC program of the European Commission contract number ERBIC18CT980292 We thank Glenda Gollod and the kids at Palawan State University Mai Sweetie Agnes Aris Daniel and Roy for assistance in the field Tutu Almonte and Mayor Hagedorn and his staff at Rita Island for accommodation Jens Borum for the elemental analysis of the leaves and the seagrass laboratory staff at MSI Zayda Day Hildie Napo and Roger and Mike Mapa for enduring support We thank the comments of the reviewers and Dr MC Ball which helped us to improve former versions of the manuscript
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