Mangroves, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, are migrating farther poleward and expanding their range as the climate warms, transforming coastal ecosystems and habitats globally.
Researchers documented Mangroves at unprecedented northern latitudes in the U.S., such as southern Georgia and north of the Florida border, over 80 kilometers farther north than previously recorded.
In Australia, mangroves migrate from East to West, influenced by factors like rising sea levels, precipitation, and sediment accumulation.
The trees thrive in saltwater environments and grow in dense stands along coastlines, forming a protective buffer against erosion, storms, and tsunamis. They are crucial for the coasts of 123 countries.
In the last 40 years, mangroves have suffered a 20% loss due to human activities, natural retraction linked to sea-level rise, temperatures, and precipitation patterns.
Efforts to safeguard these ecosystems have reduced the loss rate by almost 23% in the last decade, mainly due to the decline in aquaculture, a major cause of mangrove deforestation.
Mangrove stands build land, protect coastlines, and sequester more carbon than any other plant, providing a defense against climate change.
The migration towards marshes and inland areas like the Amazon delta may impact migratory bird species, freshwater fish species, and surrounding ecosystems.
Sources: Scientific American, Popular Mechanics, Cambio16, EurekAlert
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
