Effects of nesting waterbirds on nutrient levels in mangroves, Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras

摘要: Mangroves provide numerous ecosystem services, including biodiversity values such as nesting sites for piscivorous waterbirds. High concentrations of waterbirds at nest are hypothesized to affect dynamics, yet few studies have examined their effects a nutrient source in mangroves. We the enrichment by colonial mangrove rookery Gulf Fonseca, Honduras. compared inputs via bird guano deposition and macronutrient levels vegetation soils between small island that hosted large numbers roosting an adjacent with little evidence waterbird activity. Nest density was 1721 ± 469 nests ha−1. Rookery birds deposited 7.2 ± 3.4 g m−2 day−1 dry weight, delivering estimated 1.12 Mg ha−1 nitrogen 0.16 Mg ha−1 phosphorus over 120 day breeding season. This influx contributed substantially higher biologically important nutrients (seven times more plant available phosphorus, eight nitrate, two ammonium). leaves contained significantly control site. These results suggest influence dynamics mangroves local scales. Further research is needed understand avian derived on growth rates, export waters, invertebrate communities, associated fisheries.