Environmental effects of canopy gap formation in high-rainfall mangrove forests

This study investigated the importance of gap formation in mangrove swamps on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, in order to understand better both natural processes of forest development and the effects of harvesting trees for firewood in these wetlands. Measurements were concentrated in seven plots located near four rivers: three in fringe zones and four in basin zones. Each plot was a cluster of five points and covered an area of ca 1.3 ha. From every point in each of the seven plots, the nearest canopy gap greater than or equal to 10 m(2) was located; 25 of the 35 gaps were formed by harvesting. Porewater salinity was significantly higher under the canopy in fringe mangrove forests than in basin mangrove forests. Although gaps were small (mean gap size = 158 m(2); median gap size = 92 m(2)), soil temperatures were significantly higher in gaps of both zones. Soil redox potential was significantly lower and porewater salinity significantly higher in the gaps than under the canopy in the basin zone only. Higher porewater salinity may be attributed to high evaporation rates from the soil and high transpiration rates from trees surrounding gaps. There were significantly more seedlings in gaps than under the canopy only in the fringe zones. Although gap formation alters the soil environment of Kosraean mangrove swamps, high freshwater input may buffer these effects in basin mangrove swamps by reducing porewater salinity. Current harvesting rates do not appear to be changing canopy species composition, but large gaps, especially in mangrove forests in more arid areas, may lead to major changes.