Sciences marines : recherche et développement

Abstrait

Inter-relationship between Physico-chemical Variables and Litter Production in Mangroves of Indian Sundarbans

Rajrupa Ghosh and Kakoli Banerjee

Litter production in mangrove has immense ecological importance, as it sustains both the planktonic and detritus food webs in the aquatic phase and intertidal mudflats, respectively. The present study was undertaken in the western and central sectors of Indian Sundarbans that are different in terms of physico-chemical variables (particularly salinity). Litter production was higher in the western sector owing to higher diversity of mangrove species in the selected plots. High salinity and wind action also accelerated the process of litter fall (both leaf litter and miscellaneous litter), and hence, the peak values of total litter, leaf litter and miscellaneous litter fall (except Sagar Island) was observed in premonsoon season, in both the western and central sectors of the study area.