Mangrove biogeochemistry at local to global scales using ecogeomorphic approaches

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

Mangrove-dominated estuaries and coastlines contribute significantly to biogeochemical processes at local, regional, and global scales. This review will utilize multiple conceptual models to test how mangrove geomorphological settings (muddy, estuarine, and carbonate coasts) are related to patterns of nutrient biogeochemistry and how disturbances influence these processes over time and space. The ecogeomorphology model describes mangrove wetlands along a hierarchical scale from local multigradient interactions to regional sedimentary environments and to global patterns of climatic and biogeographic constraints. As an example, nitrogen is potentially limiting in many locations where sediment deposition provides sufficient soil phosphorus (P) density to saturate growth conditions, whereas P is more limiting in karstic mangrove settings, reflecting the influence of geomorphological setting on the ecology of mangrove wetlands. Next, the geochemical model provides ecological links along fringe and inland zones where resource and regulator gradients across soil redox zones vary with depth and season. These models can be used in combination to explain biogeochemical variation among coastal settings, such as sulfate reduction and iron availability affecting growth conditions as either a regulator (i.e., sulfide as a plant stressor) or resource (i.e., P availability).

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Coastal Wetlands an Integrated Ecosystem Approach

First Page

717

Last Page

785

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