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Primary production in papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) of Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania

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Abstract

Above- and below-ground production and morphological characteristics of papyrus wetlands were measured at monthly intervals from July 2005 to June 2006 at Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The average value of live culm biomass (5,789 ± 435 g DW m−2) was higher than that of umbel biomass (2,902 ± 327 g DW m−2) by 50%. Root to rhizome means biomass value ratio was 1:1.8, rhizome biomass (4,144 ± 452 g DW m−2) being higher than roots biomass (2,254 ± 314 g DW m−2) by 45%.

Direct proportion was observed between shoot density and culm–unit (culms and umbels) biomass.

The average value of detritus/litter biomass (1,306 ± 315 g DW m−2) was less than total aerial biomass by 86%.

The values of biomass are average of 12 sampling months from July 2005 to June 2006.

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Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the assistance of G. Bigurube, E. Gereta, I. Lejora and S. Raphael for helping with the funding of the sampling procedures and supervision in the field. E.Wolanski improved the earlier version of the manuscript with valuable suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Human Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8770, Japan

    Bakari Mnaya & Takashi Asaeda

  2. Rubondo Island National Park, P. O. Box 111, Geita, Mwanza, Tanzania

    Yustina Kiwango & Elisamehe Ayubu

Authors
  1. Bakari Mnaya
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  2. Takashi Asaeda
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  3. Yustina Kiwango
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  4. Elisamehe Ayubu
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Correspondence to Bakari Mnaya.

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Mnaya, B., Asaeda, T., Kiwango, Y. et al. Primary production in papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) of Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Wetlands Ecol Manage 15, 269–275 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-006-9027-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-006-9027-1

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