Changes of condensed tannins during decomposition of leaves of Kandelia obovata in a subtropical mangrove swamp in China

► Changes of condensed tannins (CT) during decay of Kandelia obovata leaves were studied. ► Structural changes of CT were analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS. ► Leaching, immobilization and degradation were the fate of CT during leaf decay. ► High CT levels provided a potential nutrient conservation strategy for K. obovata.