Seasonal changes of nutrient levels and nutrient resorption in Avicennia marina leaves in Yingluo Bay, China

Abstract

Avicennia marina is a typical mangrove species of subtropical coastlines of China. However, little is known about the retention of nutrients by this species in oligotrophic, coastal environments. In this study, seasonal changes in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, N:P ratio and total phenolic concentration in A. marina leaves during senescence were studied. Avicennia marina leaves had high N and P concentrations but the seasonal pattern of N concentration was different from that of P concentration. The A. marina forest was N-limited as the N:P ratio of mature leaves was less than 14. Nitrogen resorption efficiency was higher than P resorption efficiency, and the concentrations of N and P in senescent leaves indicated that N resorption was mostly complete whereas P resorption was incomplete. Avicennia marina leaves contained low tannin concentrations, particularly condensed tannins, as the leaf extracts did not react with acid butanol. Total phenolic concentrations were not correlated with N concentrations in mature and senescent leaves of A. marina. These findings suggest that the high N resorption efficiency and low nutrient losses play an important role in nutrient conservation strategies for A. marina forests, whereas low tannin concentations have limited effects on nutrient cycling.

Keywords: Avicennia marina, nutrient limitation, nutrient resorption, total phenolics