Temporal Variation and Respons of Mangrove Soil on Solar Illumination Changes

Abstract

Research on soil temperature in mangrove forest is a part of the mangrove ecosystem microclimate research. Studies on microclimate variables interaction, including soil temperature is important and interesting because it is associated with ecosystem and environmental changes, and the biota living in it. This study developed a mathematical modeling of soil temperatures and solar illumination in mangrove forest and the surrounding environment. Mathematical modeling function was constructed using data measured on three transects which different in ecosystem condition. The results showed that the mathematical modeling parameters produced the parameters of solar illumination and soil temperatures that were difference for the three transects. Time lag of soil temperature on solar illumination was also diference in the three transects due to the difference of penetration of sun radiation and soil inundation by sea water. These parameters also showed the differences between the soil temperature in mangrove with the soil temperature in terrestrial forest as studied by the former researcher. Our research demonstrated the charachteristic of soil temperature in mangrove, that was not merely controlled by sun radiation, but also it was contribute by the sea water and other factors.