87
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Mitra, Mangrove Forests in India,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20595-9_4
Chapter 4
Mangroves: A Nutrient Retention Box
Abstract Mangroves are unique halophytes that are found at the land – sea interface
and are well adapted to inundation with saline water. They are potential sinks of
nutrients. The process of out-welling in the mangrove ecosystem results in the discharge of nutrients to the adjacent estuaries, bays and coastal waters. The nutrients
originate in the mangrove ecosystem from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
The natural sources include the falling of leaf litter, twigs, branches etc., which
enhance during the period of cyclones and depressions. The artificial sources of
nutrients in the mangrove ecosystem are (i) fertilizer run-off from the adjacent agricultural fields, (ii) aquacultural wastes, which contain nutrients released from
unused feed, excreta of the culture species etc. Mangroves retain this huge quantum
of nutrients in the system, and help in sustaining the food webs.
Keywords Halophytes · Mangrove litter · Anthropogenic sources · Food webs
Mangroves are unique halophytes that are found at the land – sea interface and are
well adapted to inundation with saline water. They are potential sinks of nutrients.
The process of out-welling in the mangrove ecosystem results in the discharge of
nutrients to the adjacent estuaries, bays and coastal waters. The nutrients originate
in the mangrove ecosystem from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
The natural sources include the falling of leaf litter, twigs, branches etc., which
enhance during the period of cyclones and depressions (Fig. 4.1).
Nutrients naturally originate from the mangrove litter through the process of
decomposition, which occurs in three phases: (i) physical and biological fragmentation, (ii) microbial oxidation of refractory components such as cellulose and lignin,
and (iii) leaching of soluble components (Valiela et al. 1985).
The litter production in mangrove ecosystem varies from season to season and
also from species to species. For example, Australian mangrove species Rhizophora
stylosa and Avicennia marina show heaviest litter fall in hot climate with a long dry
winter (Bunt 1995).
In a recent study conducted during 2018, at five different stations/sites in Indian
Sundarbans (namely Henry’s Island, Sagar South, Chemaguri, Gosaba and
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Mitra, Mangrove Forests in India,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20595-9_4
Chapter 4
Mangroves: A Nutrient Retention Box
Abstract Mangroves are unique halophytes that are found at the land – sea interface
and are well adapted to inundation with saline water. They are potential sinks of
nutrients. The process of out-welling in the mangrove ecosystem results in the discharge of nutrients to the adjacent estuaries, bays and coastal waters. The nutrients
originate in the mangrove ecosystem from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
The natural sources include the falling of leaf litter, twigs, branches etc., which
enhance during the period of cyclones and depressions. The artificial sources of
nutrients in the mangrove ecosystem are (i) fertilizer run-off from the adjacent agricultural fields, (ii) aquacultural wastes, which contain nutrients released from
unused feed, excreta of the culture species etc. Mangroves retain this huge quantum
of nutrients in the system, and help in sustaining the food webs.
Keywords Halophytes · Mangrove litter · Anthropogenic sources · Food webs
Mangroves are unique halophytes that are found at the land – sea interface and are
well adapted to inundation with saline water. They are potential sinks of nutrients.
The process of out-welling in the mangrove ecosystem results in the discharge of
nutrients to the adjacent estuaries, bays and coastal waters. The nutrients originate
in the mangrove ecosystem from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
The natural sources include the falling of leaf litter, twigs, branches etc., which
enhance during the period of cyclones and depressions (Fig. 4.1).
Nutrients naturally originate from the mangrove litter through the process of
decomposition, which occurs in three phases: (i) physical and biological fragmentation, (ii) microbial oxidation of refractory components such as cellulose and lignin,
and (iii) leaching of soluble components (Valiela et al. 1985).
The litter production in mangrove ecosystem varies from season to season and
also from species to species. For example, Australian mangrove species Rhizophora
stylosa and Avicennia marina show heaviest litter fall in hot climate with a long dry
winter (Bunt 1995).
In a recent study conducted during 2018, at five different stations/sites in Indian
Sundarbans (namely Henry’s Island, Sagar South, Chemaguri, Gosaba and