Bruguiera Parviflora Leaf Litter Loss at Kuala Selangor Mangrove Forest, Malaysia

Abstract

The mangrove, Bruguiera paraiflora leaf litter loss was studied in the mangrove forest at Kuala selangor Nature Park, Malaysia. Bruguiera paruiflora constitutes lbout 80% of the growing stock at the study area. The study involves assessing and comparing leaf litter loss due to eeding plus mechanic albreak downandmic-robial degradation during dry and wet months by using two exposure methods; leaf litter on string and leaf litter in bag respectively. All leaveson strings disappeared after 60 and 20 days during dry and wet months respectively. Higher graiing evidences were observed for leaves on string during the initial 10 to 30 days ind to to 15 days of the dry and wet months respectively. Leaf litter on strings r.,i i., brgs showed physical changes during the period of exposures. Leaf litter in bags showed physical changes in structure from 60 and 15 days during dry and wet months respectively. These chinges and burial of leaves were accelerated in wet months compared to dry months. Leaies in bags exhibited 63'h and 50% dry weight loss at 150 and 30 days during dry and wet months respectively. Comparatively a igher rate of leaf litter loss in bags oicurred in the initial period of dry and wet months followed by lower rates thereafte;. However, a relatively higher decomposition rate was observed during the wet months. Comparatively a lower rate of leaf litter loss due to feeding plus mechanical breakdown was observed during the initial 5 days of dry and wet months. Comparison between the exposure methods, the overall pattern of leaf litter loss indiiated a relatively higher percentage of leaves loss; ranged sz.61yo-69.zzo/o was attributed to feeding plus mechanical breakdown by crabs, sesarma aersicolor while the contribution due to microbial activities ranged 30.670/o-47.39"k. rn addition this study showed leaf litter lossdue to feeding plus mechanical breakdown by crabs was not inhuence by the wet or dry months. As reflected by leaf litter loss, microbial degradation was influenced by the wet and dry months. The detail aspect on Bruguieri paraiflora leaf 153 putra litter loss in an undisturbed mangrove forest and the factors affecting the disappearance are discussed in this paper.