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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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Peer-reviewed publication

Physicochemical factors influencing zonation patterns, niche width and tolerances of dominant mangroves in southern Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Physicochemical factors are known for having strong influence on the spatial patterns and structural complexity of mangroves. In this regard, we aimed to contribute to filling up this information gap in the six mangrove ecosystems on the southern coast of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. In each of the six mangrove ecosystems, the dominant mangrove species were identified in four mangrove ecotypes – seaward, riverine, middle, and landward – using a  stratified random sampling method for vegetation survey. Physicochemical parameters of water, air and soil were also obtained from these ecozones. Results of the Principal Component Analysis revealed that temperature and water salinity are the factors that show strong influence on the spatial distribution of the dominant mangrove species. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that Avicennia marina, Sonneratia alba and Rhizophora apiculata, are species associated with a highly saline environment, while Xylocarpus granatum, Ceriops decandra, Avicennia rumphiana, and Rhizophora mucronata are species associated with low to optimum saline environment. Most of these dominant species preferred ecotypes with low to optimum salinity levels as revealed by their individual niche width and tolerances. The different adaptations and dominance of these mangrove species provide insights in the identification of appropriate species that could be used as planting materials for the rehabilitation endeavours of the respective mangrove ecosystem.