Abstract
The main objective of this study was to develop a methodology to ascertain spatio-temporal changes of mangrove vegetation; describe, quantify and predict the spatial patterns through time using remote sensing, GIS and computer simulation models as tools. Other models, based on individual-based or cellular automata approaches, have also demonstrated the importance of local interactions in space on population dynamics. This study is motivated by the need to understand the pattern dynamics of mangrove species including steady state analysis and the role of disturbance in mangrove ecosystems. Mangrove canopy turnover takes hundreds of years under natural conditions, hence the application of appropriate simulation models may enhance knowledge and predictions on likely evolutionary patterns.
The vegetation characteristics of GaziBay were determined and this was a crucial step in obtaining the parameterization data for the model. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the species competition coefficients, coupled with the carrying capacity values, were probably the most important parameters influencing the predictions especially regarding equilibria of the forest. However, the effects due to synergistic influences of all the tested parameters in the sensitivity analysis may become clearer when studies are conducted while putting into perspective important gradients such as environmental and topographical attributes. This study generated predictive insights on the equilibria of pairwise species interactions based on the carrying capacities and species interaction coefficients of the mangroves in GaziBay and suggests that phase-plane analysis may be considered an effective proxy to ascertain equilibria among pairwise competing mangrove species. The results of this study reiterate that dispersal distances are directly proportional to the population density although this is subject to moderations due to factors such as carrying capacity (K) and competition coefficients () and possibly other inherent ecological factors.
Cellular automaton models based on the Lotka-Volterra model of competition is a good metaphor for describing and predicting spatial temporal variations of competing mangrove species that are subjected to various magnitudes of disturbance events. The suitability of the model, considering the useful insights and cost implications is noteworthy. The competition was evaluated based on neighbourhood rules at individual level and at population density levels. Normally, site productivity and resource availability control the rate of return to pre-disturbance conditions on a patch. However, the uncertainties regarding residuals or biotic legacies after the event of a disturbance provide a constraint for the model since these may only be accounted for, in the simulations, using empirical observations over a long period. The phase-plane analysis results suggest that for the simulations, interacting species composition may be considered important in determining the temporal stability in Gazi. The need to evaluate some inherent factors through transient dynamics analysis could enhance the predictions. Due to the important ecological consequences due to disturbance which results in creation of canopy openings, it is prudent that future experimental designs to study Gazi mangroves be specifically focused on tree recruitment and its scale, intensity and spatial patterns of tree mortalities in response to specific types of disturbance events or regimes. This would enhance the present knowledge of forest dynamics which may be considered full of uncertainties without a comprehensive understanding of the disturbance regime.