A forever young ecosystem: Light gap creation and turnover of subtropical mangrove forests in Moreton Bay, Southeast Queensland, Australia

Aldrie, Amir and Duke, Norman C. (2009). A forever young ecosystem: Light gap creation and turnover of subtropical mangrove forests in Moreton Bay, Southeast Queensland, Australia. In: , Proceedings of the 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress and 2nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific. 11th Pacific Science Inter-congress in conjunction with the 2nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific, Tahiti, French Polynesia, (1-5). 2-6 March 2009.

Attached Files (Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your UQ eSpace credentials)
Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads
a2009_Aldrie.pdf a2009_Aldrie.pdf application/pdf 527.37KB 66
Author Aldrie, Amir
Duke, Norman C.
Title of paper A forever young ecosystem: Light gap creation and turnover of subtropical mangrove forests in Moreton Bay, Southeast Queensland, Australia
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name 11th Pacific Science Inter-congress in conjunction with the 2nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific
Conference location Tahiti, French Polynesia
Conference dates 2-6 March 2009
Proceedings title Proceedings of the 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress and 2nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific
Place published Honolulu, United States
Publisher Pacific Science Association
Publication date 2009
ISBN 9782110989642
Start page 1
End page 5
Total pages 5
Language eng
Abstract/Summary Light gaps act as important renewal agents in mangrove forests. Light gaps progress through a number of stages starting from the death of a patch of trees through to its infill and rejuvenation of forest. These define a process of mangrove regeneration where forests naturally replace themselves over time. Light gaps in Moreton Bay mangroves were assessed to develop a greater understanding of the physical characteristics and microclimate change with adjacent canopies. Historical aerial photographs from 1978 to 2007 were analysed to reveal the dynamic processes of these mangrove forests and the role of light gap creation. The annual average number of new light gaps and the annual average number of gaps in recovery phases were calculated and used to estimate forest turnover. The average size of gaps in Moreton Bay is 84.2 m2. Average forest turnover based on gap creation decreased from 1987 to 2007. An increase in gap creation rate may be indicative of an increase in storm activity - a possible tangible effect of global climate change.
Keyword Mangrove
Light gap
Forest dynamics
Natural disturbances
Natural regeneration
Lightning strike
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collections: ERA 2012 Admin Only
School of Biological Sciences Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 70 Abstract Views, 66 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Mon, 15 Nov 2010, 18:32:42 EST by Dr Norman C Duke on behalf of School of Biological Sciences