Changes in water, organic, inorganic and pigments contents in mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) during decomposition under different field (Sandspit backwaters, Karachi) and laboratory conditions

摘要

Decomposition of Avicennia marina (Forsk) Vierh leaf litter was studied using litterbag technique in a mangrove stand at Sandspit backwaters, Karachi and also in the laboratory. Water content of litter under all experimental conditions showed a decreasing trend during decomposition. Under FMAC, LAAC reduction of water content was lower compare to FAC and LAC..Inorganic content of remaining decomposing leaves increases with time. Reverse is true for the organic matter. Similarly, reduction in organic matter starts from initial value of 90.41 g % and reaches its minimum at the end of experiment. Lowest organic content values observed in different experiment ranged from 45.46 - 60.93 g %. The value Chlorophyll decreased with elapsed time. Chlorophyll a appears to have degraded faster than chlorophyll b as indicated by the chl a : chl b ratio.