LAI AND LEAF SIZE DIFFERENCES IN 2 RED MANGROVE FOREST TYPES IN SOUTHFLORIDA

Citation
Rj. Araujo et al., LAI AND LEAF SIZE DIFFERENCES IN 2 RED MANGROVE FOREST TYPES IN SOUTHFLORIDA, Bulletin of marine science, 60(3), 1997, pp. 643-647
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Oceanografhy,"Marine & Freshwater Biology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00074977
Volume
60
Issue
3
Year of publication
1997
Pages
643 - 647
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-4977(1997)60:3<643:LALSDI>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
Leaf area indices (LAI) were evaluated for two different red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) forest types (basin and dwarf) in southeast Flo rida using the plumb line and canopy light interception methods. LAI a nd leaf size (length, width and area) were found to be significantly d ifferent in the two forest types. The basin forest type had the highes t LAI (5.7), lowest light transmissions (7.2 percent of ambient) and t he largest leaf dimensions in contrast to the dwarf type (LAI 3.0, per cent light 17.2). The results reflect different environmental forces a cting upon each location and reinforce the practical ecological value of the classification of mangrove forest types.