Leaf Morphological Plasticity of Rhizophora mucronata (L) among Different Saline Zones in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh

Forest tree species can adapt to environmental diversity if this show phenotypic plasticity, or the capacity to express different phenotypes in response to environmental change. To comprehend the mechanisms behind plasticity, the responses of Rhizophora mucronata tree species to salinity zones in the Sundarbans were assessed. Despite having a growth rate that is significantly slowed at very high salinities, the very salt tolerant species Rhizophora mucronata maintains its salt balance like a true halophyte. Leaf sample were collected from Chandpai (FW), Sutorkhali (MS) and Munshigonj (SS). For measurement, we pick 17 different parameters. For quantitative parameters, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) have been used. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to check for any significant differences between the salinity zones in all of the quantitative parameters. The plasticity index of LA (leaf area) reached its maximum and LTA (leaf tip angle) reached its minimum in the case of a moderately saline zone. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) for morphological factors with a significant difference in eigenvalue accounted 74.48% (PC1) and 8.72% (PC2) of the total variance, according to PCA. As a result, it is abundantly clear that salinity is the primary factor impacting the morphometric parameters, and Rhizophora mucronata's morphological plasticity is clearly demonstrated. So we can say that future programs aimed at managing and conserving mangrove species in Bangladesh's Sundarbans will use this research's findings as a guid

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