Abstract

MARTINEZ-BALLESTEROS, Álvaro Javier; PLAZA-RODRIGUEZ, Carlos Mario  and  GUEVARA, Giovany. CONTRIBUTION OF BLACK MANGROVE (Avicennia germinans L.) FALLEN LEAVES IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN AREA. Luna Azul [online]. 2014, n.38, pp.218-230. ISSN 1909-2474.

Although mangroves are recognized worldwide as highly productive and ecologically important ecosystems , at present its extent has been significantly reduced due to human activities in coastal areas. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate their dynamics and responses under the growing and sustained climatic and anthropogenic impacts. During two contrasting seasons (drought, rain) the fallen leaves production of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans L. was investigated at El Uno Bay, near Turbo Municipality, North-Western Colombia (8º N). Organic matter input was sorted by structure (leaves, branches, flowers, fruits) with leaves registering the highest significant values. Total dry biomass during both seasons was 7.09±9.66 and 5.36±5.67 g m-2day-1. The lowest and highest organic matter values were 0.63-8 and 0.49-3.65 g m-2day-1 during the dry and rainy season, respectively. Significant differences between organic structures but not between seasons analyzed were detected. Some relevant past and present natural and anthropogenic impacts affecting the mangroves dynamics are discussed, as well as the importance of fallen leaves input to the primary and secondary production in highly disturbed zones of the Colombian Caribbean area.

Keywords : Gulf of Urabá; Caribbean Sea; coastal organic matter; mangroves; productivity.

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