Benthic microbial metabolism in tropical mangrove forests, Timor Leste

Seven mangrove forests were sampled on the north (two stations, TL4, TL5) and south (BC1, SL1, SL2, TL6, TB1) coasts of Timor Leste. TL4 and TL5 were sampled at the end of the wet season (June 2007) and at the end of the dry season (October 2008), other stations were sampled once in October 2008. Within 3 semicircular plots per forest, trees were identified, measured for diameter at breast height (DBH) and taped; the center of each plot was staked for further sampling for sediment characteristics and microbial processes. Forest data were used to calculate basal area and stem density which in turn was used to estimate above-ground biomass and wood density. Measurements of light absorption by the forest canopy (100-250 light readings per plot on sunny days between 1000 and 1400 h) were used to estimate canopy cover (number of readings under closed canopy divided by total number of readings) and leaf area index (LAI). Oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon fluxes across the sediment surface were measured in conjunction with sulfate reduction and stand characteristics in mangrove forests at different topographic height.Intertidal (low, mid, high) zones and associated mangrove characteristics (species, average height) were recorded. Mangrove species noted were: Avicenna marina, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia alba, Sonneratia urama.
A pilot study to measure mangrove primary production and biogeochemistry on the southern coast and northern coasts of Timor Leste.