RUI: Animal-Plant Interactions in Mangrove Communities

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This research constitutes the first comprehensive study of interactions between neotropical red mangroves, Rhizophora mangle, and epibionts that live on its aerial roots. Mangroves cover75% of sheltered tropical coastlines. studies of these ubiquitous communities will expand our understanding of the structure and maintenance of these coastal systems, and clarify how such process may be altered by the organisms themselves. This research also should elucidate hitherto unappreciated direct and indirect interactions between trees and benthic invertebrates. This project specially seeks to foster undergraduate training and participation in tropical research. The research program will expand upon four years of work in the extensive mangal of Belize, Central America. Epibionts will be selectivity removed and added to roots of seedlings, sapling, and mature trees. Effects of these treatments on surviorship, stem and root growth, leaf production, and rootlet proliferation will be monitored. The project will investigate mechanisms by which epibionts influence tree growth, and will determine whether sponges are involved in nitrogen fixation for mangroves. The research will further assess if epibionts alter the rate of sediment accretion under saplings and matures trees, thereby influencing mangal ontogeny. Knowledge of processes that structure and maintain mangal will inform the wise use and conservation of these widespread communities.