Mangrove Productivity Compared Inside and Outside of Mixed Integrated Mangrove-Shrimp Farms in Ca Mau, Vietnam

摘要

The productivity of different mangrove tree species (Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops tagal and Bruguiera spp.) were measured inside and outside of shrimp farms in Ca Mau, Mekong Delta and compared with environmental conditions. In the plots the mean basal area was 20.6 ± 3.1 m~2 ha~(-1) and the mean net primary productivity was 72.5 Mg C ha~(-1) year~(-1). There were no significant differences in basal area or net primary productivity between species or site. The high abundance of Ceriops tagal trees inside the shrimp farm and the correlated accumulation of leaf litter and decrease in pH have possible future implications for the production of shrimps. High soil salinities are recorded because of the high dikes and lack of water flushing. However, this study showed no effect of the shrimp farms on the mangrove production.