Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology >

2010 , Vol. 34 >Issue 2: 186 - 194

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.02.010

Special feature: The destruction to forest ecosystems by the extremely heavy glaze and snow storms occurred in early 2008 in southern China

Damage to mangroves from extreme cold in early 2008 in southern China

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  • 1Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
    2The Administrative Bureau of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
    3The Administrative Bureau of Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518040, China
    4The Administrative Bureau of Dongzhai Harbor National Nature Reserve, Haikou, Hainan 571129, China
    5The Administrative Bureau of Beilunhe Estuary National Nature Reserve, Fangchenggang, Guangxi 538021, China
    6The Administrative Bureau of Zhangjiang Estuary National Nature Reserve, Yunxiao, Fujian 363300, China
    7Qinzhou Institute of Forestry, Qinzhou, Guangxi 535000, China
    8The Administrative Bureau of Qinglan Harbor Nature Reserve, Wenchang, Hainan 571300, China

Received date: 2009-04-26

  Accepted date: 2009-09-12

  Online published: 2010-02-01

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Abstract

Aims Unusually low temperatures associated with heavy rain, snow and frost occurred in 19 provinces in southern China in January-February 2008. Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of the cold weather event on mangroves and to compare differences in cold tolerance between exotic and native mangrove species.

Methods In March 2008, we conducted an intensive survey of cold damage in ten mangrove nature reserves along the coastal areas of mainland China. Parameters such as scorch percentage, defoliation percentage and leaf Fv/Fm values (an indicator of leaf physiological health) were determined on selected seedlings and trees of the mangrove species at each site.

Important findings With low latitudes in Hainan, Guangxi and Zhanjiang of Guangdong, low air temperature coupled with the ebb tide at night, which caused serious damage to several mangrove species. However, native mangrove species in Fujian, such as Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina and transplanted Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, which were adapted to low temperature events in winters, had higher cold resistance. Among all mangrove species surveyed, K. obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina were the most cold-resistant, followed by B. gymnorrhiza, B. sexangula and Rhizophora stylosa, which belong to the family Rhizophoraceae. Sonneratia caseolaris was the least cold-resistent mangrove species, having suffered serious damage or even complete loss in some locations. S. apetala introduced from Bangladesh showed much less damage than its counterpart S. caseolaris, indicating higher resistance to low temperature. Furthermore, mangrove seedlings were more sensitive than mature trees. The extreme cold event killed many mangrove seedlings in the nurseries and caused immature flowers and fruits to drop from trees, which would have an adverse effect on mangrove natural reproduction and reforestation projects. Thus, it is essential to consider cold resistance in future mangrove afforestration and restoration projects.

Key words： chilling; climate change; cold resistance; extreme temperature; mangroves

Cite this article

CHEN Lu-Zhen, WANG Wen-Qing, ZHANG Yi-Hui, HUANG Li, ZHAO Chun-Lei, YANG Sheng-Chang, YANG Zhi-Wei, CHEN Yue-Chao, XU Hua-Lin, ZHONG Cai-Rong, SU Bo, FANG Bai-Zhou, CHEN Nai-Ming, ZENG Chuan-Zhi, LIN Guang-Hui . Damage to mangroves from extreme cold in early 2008 in southern China[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2010 , 34(2) : 186 -194 . DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.02.010

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