10.2190/TCD0-CVUF-KY8B-46PL TCD0CVUFKY8B46PL 4 Sensitivity Analysis of A Mangrove Ecosystem Model 57 72 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 TCD0CVUFKY8B46PL.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=TCD0CVUFKY8B46PL 1 J. S. Pandey P. Khanna National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, India Mangrove ecosystems represent one of the most important ecosystems in terms of commercial use, inasmuch as their productivity is comparable to that of coral reefs and sea grass beds. In the present article, a comparative analysis is presented for delineating the ecological significance of mangrove ecosystems. Then, a mangrove ecosystem computer model is analyzed, and sensitivity analyses identify key parameters in the design of environmental management plans aimed at optimal and judicious use of mangroves. Analytical expressions are derived for steady state conditions. Moreover, conditions for ecological feasibility are also ascertained. Tidal action and nutrient inputs from terrestrial run-off turn out to be one of the most important controlling factors with respect to detritus export and nutrient cycling. M. D. Fortes, Mangrove and Seagrass Beds of East Asia: Habitats under Stress, <i>Ambio, 17</i>:3, pp. 207-213, 1988. P. C. Miller, Bioclimate, Leaf Temperature and Primary Production in Red Mangrove Canopies in South Florida, <i>Ecology, 53</i>, pp. 22-45, 1972. E. P. Odum, <i>Basic Ecology</i>, Saunders College Publishing, Holt-Saunders International Editions, 1983. J. S. Pandey and P. Khanna, Development of Plant Function Types for Studying Impact of Green House Gases on Terrestrial Ecosystems, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 23</i>:1, pp. 67-82, 1995. A. N. Rao, Mangrove Ecosystems of Asia and the Pacific, in <i>Mangrove of Asia and the Pacific: Status and Management</i>, Technical Report of the UNDP/UNESCO Research and Training Pilot Programme on Mangrove Ecosystems in Asia and the Pacific (RAS/79/002), pp. 1-33, 1986. M. D. Fortes, Sea Grass—Mangrove Ecosystem Management: A Key to Marine Coastal Conservation in the ASEAN Region, <i>Marine Pollution Bulletin, 23</i>, pp. 113-116, 1991. A. E. Lugo, M. Sell, and S. C. Snedaker, Mangrove Ecosystem Analysis, in <i>Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology</i>, Vol. IV, B. C. Patten (ed.), Academic Press, New York, pp. 113-145, 1976. J. S. Pandey, A. Shankar, and P. Khanna, Investigations into Behavioural Modes of a Forest Growth Model, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 19</i>:4, pp. 349-354, 1990. J. S. Pandey, A. Shanker, A. Dhote, and P. Khanna, Sensitivity Analysis for a Five Compartment Marine Ecosystem Model and Its Application to Peel and Harvey Estuaries, <i>Journal of Indian Association for Environmental Management, 21</i>, pp. 40-52, 1994. P. R. Burbridge, Coastal and Marine Resource Management in the Strait of Malacca, <i>Ambio, 17</i>:3, pp. 170-177, 1988. B. C. Patten (ed.), Models of Terrestrial Ecosystems, in <i>Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology</i>, Vol. IV, B. C. Patten (ed.), Academic Press, New York, p. 111, 1976. B. C. Patten, Ecological Systems Analysis and Fisheries Science, <i>Transactions of American Fishing Society, 98</i>, p. 570, 1969. R. W. Bosserman, Sensitivity of Cycling Measures Derived from Ecological Flow Analysis, <i>Ecological Modelling, 48</i>, pp. 45-64, 1989. D. S. Mahaman, Simplified Sensitivity Analysis Applied to a Nutrient Biomass Model, <i>Ecological Modelling, 42</i>, pp. 103-109, 1988.