We currently monitor 2 year-old reforested Rhizopora. Among them, there are few larger trees of the same species, originating from natural autosuccession. They can potentially be included into the monitoring, but for this it is necessary to determine their age. Is there a method that calculates back ages of (young) mangroves by using diameter-at-breast-height-measures and species-specific growth rates?
Yes, possibly, and only for some species and only for a certain period of time. For instance, if you have independent data on the plastichron interval (i.e the period between the initiation of new leaves) for the site(s) you are working in, then it may be possible to count leaf scars on the seedlings of species of Rhizophora (and perhaps other genera in the Rhizophoraecea) to get a reasonable idea of age. This will only work up until the seedlings start to produce branches.
interesting answer Robertson! Unfortunately they are already juvenile branching trees, but thx for your nice idea!
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