Mangrove litterfall dynamics have been monitored in all Shark River sites (SRS-4, SRS-5, SRS-6) since January 2001 using the same collection method stated in Castañeda-Moya et al. 2013 (metadata: knb-lter-fce.1195) and Danielson et al. 2017. Briefly, litterfall was collected monthly at all sites (10 baskets per site) using permanent 0.25 m2 wooden baskets supported approximately 1.3 m above the soil surface and lined with 1 mm mesh screening. Litterfall from each basket was sorted, dried, and weighed by leaf species, reproductive parts by species, and woody material. Leaf litter data from different years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) were selected for each site to identify species-specific foliar carbon and nutrient (N and P) content. Monthly leaf litter samples were analyzed separately by species for all years after grinding with a Wiley Mill to pass through a 40-µm mesh screen. Total leaf litter C and N contents were determined with a Carlo-Erba NA-1500 elemental analyzer (Fisons Instruments Inc., Danvers, MA, USA). Total leaf litter P was extracted using an acid-digest (HCl) extraction, and concentrations of SRP were determined by spectrophotometric analysis (Methods 365.4 and 365.2, USA EPA 1983). Litterfall data collection is ongoing every year since 2001, while C and nutrients analyses are performed every other year after 2021. See also Shark River mangrove litterfall data (knb-lter-fce.1195) on the FCE LTER website's data catalog or in the EDI repository (https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-fce&identifier=1195).
References:
Castañeda-Moya, E., Twilley, R. R., & Rivera-Monroy, V. H. (2013). Allocation of biomass and net primary productivity of mangrove forests along environmental gradients in the Florida Coastal Everglades, USA. Forest Ecology and Management, 307, 226-241.
Danielson, T.M., V.H. Rivera-Monroy, E. Castaneda-Moya, H. Briceno, R. Travieso, B.D. Marx, E. Gaiser, and L.M. Farfan. 2017. Assessment of Everglades mangrove forest resilience: Implications for above-ground net primary productivity and carbon dynamics. Forest Ecology and Management 404: 115-125.
EPA. 1983. Methods for chemical analysis of water and wastes. Methods 365.4 and 365.2, USA EPA 1983. Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC 20460.