Non-additive effects on litter decomposition were observed of the litter mixtures composed of mangrove species. The water nutrient content, the initial trait dissimilarity, and the CWM of litter mixtures varied with species composition.

3 Result

Non-additive effects on litter decomposition were observed of the litter mixtures composed of mangrove species. The water nutrient content, the initial trait dissimilarity, and the CWM of litter mixtures varied with species composition.

3.1 Decomposition rate (k) and mass remaining

Non-additive effect on litter decomposition was detected in the litter mixtures from mangrove species, but not in the mixture of A. corniculatum vs. S. alterniflora (Fig. 1a, b). The observed mass remaining of the mixture of A. corniculatum vs. K obovatawas substantially higher than the expected value, whereas the observed mass remaining of the mixture of A. corniculatum vs. A. marina was lower than the expected one (p < 0.05), only the mixture of A. corniculatum vs. S. alterniflora  did not show significant difference between the observed and the expected values (p > 0.05; Fig. 1b).