The Influence of Opening on the Gradient and Air Temperature Edge Effects in Mangrove Forests

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the influence of the opening or open space to daily changes and spatial variation of air temperature in mangrove forests. The research was conducted on two transect; one of them is in an area where there was an open space that is inundated when sea tide is low. The ambient temperatures at both locations were compared based on quantitative parameters: maximum value, the difference of the maximum air temperature of the periphery with the interior of the forest, the edge gradient and the depth of the edge effects. The results showed that the widely open gap caused the decrease in the difference of the forest interior-edge temperature, the reduction of the depth of the edge effects, and decreasing of gradient edge.