Mangrove Litter Fall in North-Eastern Australia. II. Periodicity

Abstract

Fourier analysis was used to demonstrate distinctive seasonal patterns of leaf litter fall in the mangrove species Rhizophora apiculata, R. stylosa and R. lamarckii. Similar treatment of data for stipule fall was not successful, indicating that this process may be controlled by random events. The fall of leaves and reproductive parts appears to be correlated with climatic factors, notably rainfall, in a fashion that varies with species. Seasonal trends without Fourier analysis are described for Sonneratia alba, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, B. parviflora, Avicennia sp. and Ceriops tagal in terms of leaves and reproductive parts, and for leaves only in Excoecaria agallocha, Xylocarpus granatum, Heritiera littoralis, Lumnitzera racemosa and L. littorea.