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Species mixing boosts root yield in mangrove trees

Lang'at, Joseph Kipkorir Sigi; Kirui, Bernard K Y; Skov, Martin W; Kairo, James G; Mencuccini, Maurizio; Huxham, Mark

Authors

Joseph Kipkorir Sigi Lang'at

Bernard K Y Kirui

Martin W Skov

James G Kairo

Maurizio Mencuccini



Abstract

Enhanced species richness can stimulate the productivity of plant communities; however, its effect on the belowground production of forests has scarcely been tested, despite the role of tree roots in carbon storage and ecosystem processes. Therefore, we tested for the effects of tree species richness on mangrove root biomass: thirty-two 6 m by 6 m plots were planted with zero (control), one, two or three species treatments of six-month-old Avicennia marina (A), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (B) and Ceriops tagal (C). A monoculture of each species and the four possible combinations of the three species were used, with four replicate plots per treatment. Above- and belowground biomass was measured after three and four years’ growth. In both years, the all-species mix (ABC) had significant overyielding of roots, suggesting complementarity mediated by differences in rhizosphere use amongst species. In year four, there was higher belowground than aboveground biomass in all but one treatment. Belowground biomass was strongly influenced by the presence of the most vigorously growing species, A. marina. These results demonstrate the potential for complementarity between fast- and slow-growing species to enhance belowground growth in mangrove forests, with implications for forest productivity and the potential for belowground carbon sequestration.

Citation

Lang'at, J. K. S., Kirui, B. K. Y., Skov, M. W., Kairo, J. G., Mencuccini, M., & Huxham, M. (2013). Species mixing boosts root yield in mangrove trees. Oecologia, 172(1), 271-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2490-x

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Oct 17, 2012
Publication Date 2013-05
Deposit Date Apr 3, 2014
Print ISSN 0029-8549
Electronic ISSN 1432-1939
Publisher BMC
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 172
Issue 1
Pages 271-278
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2490-x
Keywords Root biomass; Overyielding; Mangrove forests; Species richness; Ecosystem function;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6714
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2490-x


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