Importance of Mangrove Litter Production in the Protection of Atlantic Coastal Forest of Cameroon and Ghana

Abstract

For this study, litterfall and structural characteristics of mangrove forest in Ghana and Cameroon were monitored from November 2008 to November 2010. The annual fluctuation of litterfall mass and carbon stocks increased with increases in air temperature (Dry season). During the study period, mean annual total litterfall production, mean carbon litterfall stocks and density were, respectively, 3,035 g/m2, 12,454.15 g/m2 and 24,500 stems/ha in Ghana and 5,410 g/m2, 21,441.61 g/m2 and 32,275 stems/ha in Cameroon. Litterfall biomass in both countries was made up of more than 80 % leaves. It also appeared that the structural development of the mangrove forest was positively related to the production of litterfall in each country, indicating the importance of litterfall productivity in the general growth of mangrove forest.