Changes in Organic, Inorganic contents, Carbon Nitrogen ratio in decomposing Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata leaves on tidal mudf lats in Hajambro creek, Indus delta, Pakistan

Abstract

Leaf decomposition of Avicennia marina (Forskal) Vierh in Denkschr and Rhizophora mucronata (Poiret) was studied in situ using litterbag s in Hajambro creek, Indus delta. A single exponential model was presented, which best described the rate of decomposition for both the species. The rate of decomposition was species specific, A. marina leaves decomposed slower than the R. mucronata (p<0.001). The time in days required for 50% loss of the initial dry mass (t1/2) was 49.55 days for the A. marina and 44.43 days in case of R. mucronata. The organic content in the leaves was high initially but decresed gradually during decomposition, which is negatively correlated with inorganic contents. This study will help in the management and conservation of mangrove ecosystem of Hajambro creek, Indus delta, Pakistan.

Keywords

• Mangrove
• Decompositiom
• Indus delta
• Mudflats
• Avic ennia marina
• Rhizophora mucronata
• Hajambro creek