Dynamics of Aboveground Mass Hierarchy in Overcrowded Mangrove Kandelia Obovata Stands on Okinawa Island, Japan

This study examined the aboveground mass dynamics in overcrowded Kandelia obovata stands in Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan, over 8 years. The rank of aboveground mass w was not completely constant as the stands grew, although the values of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of w significantly differed from zero (P < 0.01). Therefore, the mass hierarchy of overcrowded K. obovata mangrove stands is dynamic as stands grow, although the changes are not dramatic. The mode of the frequency distribution shifted to the right each year, because the mortality of smaller, suppressed trees was high and the surviving trees continued to grow.