Abstract:
Decomposition of fine-root (< 2 mm in diameter) litter was studied by litter bag method in three vegetative zones (Avicennia-Sonneratia, Rhizophora and Xylocarpus zones) for one year in a permanent plot (50x120 m2) at a secondary mangrove forest, Trat province. The remaining weight of fine-root litter at 5 and 20 cm soil depth were not significant difference in the three zones. The remaining weights at the end of experiment were 0.496, 0.570 and 0.507 g from initial weight of 1.00 g in Avicennia-Sonneratia, Rhizophora and Xylocarspus zones, respectively. A relationship between the remaining weight of fine-root decomposition and time was fit by using a composite exponential model. It was separated into 2 periods. The first period, from the beginning of the experiment to approximately four weeks, showed a rapid decrease of fine-root litter by time. The decomposition rates in the first period were calculated at 0.2908, 0.3031 and 0.2158 for Avicennia-Sonneratia, Rhizophora and Xylocarpus zones, respectively. The second period, after approximate four week until the end of experiment at fifty-second week, fine-root litter slowly decrease by time. The rates of the second period were calculated at 0.0049, 0.0046 and 0.0064 in Avicennia-Sonneratia, Rhizophora and Xylocarpus zones, respectively. The decomposition rate of fine-root among zones was discussed by the interaction of environmental factors such as topography, soil temperature and inundation time. The C/N ratios of the fine-root remaining weight were analyzed. They related with the zonal variation of fine-root decomposition. The distribution of fine-root necromass was studied by coring method. The vertical distribution of fine-root necromass along the 3 soil depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) was not significantly different in all three zones. But, the zonal distribution of fine-root necromass was significantly different among zones. The fine-root necromass was accumulated in Xylocarpus > Rhizophora > Avicennia-Sonneratia zones. The trend of fine root accumulation by zone was coincided with the trend of fine root decomposition. The decomposition rate of fine-root in the present study was lower than that of terrestrial forests in the tropical region. The low decomposition rate of fine-root litter in mangrove forest indicates the large amount of fine-root necromass accumulated in the forest soil, consequently supports potential of a carbon sink