[Caloric values and ash contents of some mangrove woods]

The caloric values and ash contents of some mangrove woods in Dongzhai Harbor Mangrove Forest Reserve of Hainan Province were determined in Summer, and the changes of the caloric value of Kandelia candel woods at different latitudes were studied. The ash content of mangrove woods was low, ranging from 2.43% to 5.17%; and their gross and ash-free caloric values ranged from 17.23 kJ.g-1 to 19.21 kJ.g-1 and from 17.70 kJ.g-1 to 20.10 kJ.g-1, respectively. Sonneratia apetala wood had the lowest gross and ash-free caloric values. The caloric value of Kandelia candel wood decreased with increasing latitude in Summer.