Dynamics of phosphorus and nitrogen through litter fall and decomposition in a tropical mangrove forest

Distribution, dynamics and mass budget of phosphorus and nitrogen in a red mangrove forest were studied in the Potengi mangrove forest in northern Brazil (lat. 5 degrees 42 ' and 5 degrees 53 ' S, long. 35 degrees 5 ' and 35 degrees 25 ' W). Tidal hydrology, net primary productivity, leaf litter decomposition rate and standing stock of leaf litter in a red mangrove forest were measured. The results showed that the main reservoir for total P and total N was the sediment with 309 kg ha(-1) and 4619 kg ha(-1) (77% and 95% of the total P and N content in the mangrove forest), respectively, for the two elements. Total P and total N in Rhizophora mangle trees accounted for 145 14 kg ha(-1) and 216 +/- 23 kg ha(-1) (23% and 5% of the total P and N in the mangrove forest). The estimated average export rates for P and N through leaf litter are 0.5 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) and 1.6 ka ha(-1) yr(-1) respectively. Our measurements support previous results in concluding that mangrove forests efficiently retain P and N. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.