Net Primary Productivity of Two Mangrove Forest Stands on the Northwestern Coast of Sri Lanka

Background

This article compares the net primary production of an estuarine mangrove stand to an island fringing stand in Dutch Bay in northwestern Sri Lanka.

Research Goals & Methods

Net above-ground primary productivity was measured by monitoring litterfall and above-ground biomass increment between 1985 and 1987.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Estuarine mangrove stands recorded a higher annual rate of above-ground net primary production (1207.88 g mm² or approximately 12 t ha^-1) than the fringing mangrove stands (694.22 g m²; approximately 7 t ha^-1). The authors attribute variations between the two stands to the differences in tidal flushing and influence of freshwater in the two localities.