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Hydrodynamic Limitations to Mangrove Seedling Retention in Subtropical Estuaries

Author

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  • Kelly M. Kibler

    (Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Christian Pilato

    (Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Linda J. Walters

    (National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Melinda Donnelly

    (National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Jyotismita Taye

    (Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

Abstract

Mangrove-forest sustainability hinges upon propagule recruitment and seedling retention. This study evaluates biophysical limitations to mangrove-seedling persistence by measuring anchoring force of two mangrove species ( Rhizophora mangle L. and Avicennia germinans (L.) L.). Anchoring force was measured in 362 seedlings via lateral pull tests administered in mangrove forests of two subtropical estuaries and in laboratory-based experiments. Removal mechanism varied with seedling age: newly established seedlings failed due to root pull-out while seedlings older than 3 months failed by root breakage. The anchoring force of R. mangle seedlings was consistently and significantly greater than A. germinans ( p = 0.002); however, force to remove A. germinans seedlings increased with growth at a faster rate ( p < 0.001; A. germinans : 0.20–0.23 N/g biomass; R. mangle : 0.04–0.07 N/g biomass). Increasing density of surrounding vegetation had a positive effect ( p = 0.04) on anchoring force of both species. Critical velocities at which seedlings become susceptible to instantaneous uprooting estimated from anchoring forces measured in the field were 1.20 m/s and 1.50 m/s, respectively, for R. mangle and A. germinans . As estimated critical velocities exceed typical flow magnitudes observed in field sites, removal of established seedlings likely occurs following erosion of sediments from the seedling base.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly M. Kibler & Christian Pilato & Linda J. Walters & Melinda Donnelly & Jyotismita Taye, 2022. "Hydrodynamic Limitations to Mangrove Seedling Retention in Subtropical Estuaries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8605-:d:862445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rodolfo Silva & María Luisa Martínez & Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek & Laura Odette Guzmán-Rodríguez & Edgar Mendoza & Jorge López-Portillo, 2020. "A Framework to Manage Coastal Squeeze," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. So-Min Cheong & Brian Silliman & Poh Poh Wong & Bregje van Wesenbeeck & Choong-Ki Kim & Greg Guannel, 2013. "Coastal adaptation with ecological engineering," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 787-791, September.
    3. Kelly M. Kibler & Vasileios Kitsikoudis & Melinda Donnelly & David W. Spiering & Linda Walters, 2019. "Flow–Vegetation Interaction in a Living Shoreline Restoration and Potential Effect to Mangrove Recruitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Rebecca M. Fillyaw & Melinda J. Donnelly & Jason W. Litwak & Julia L. Rifenberg & Linda J. Walters, 2021. "Strategies for Successful Mangrove Living Shoreline Stabilizations in Shallow Water Subtropical Estuaries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-24, October.
    5. Beth A Polidoro & Kent E Carpenter & Lorna Collins & Norman C Duke & Aaron M Ellison & Joanna C Ellison & Elizabeth J Farnsworth & Edwino S Fernando & Kandasamy Kathiresan & Nico E Koedam & Suzanne R , 2010. "The Loss of Species: Mangrove Extinction Risk and Geographic Areas of Global Concern," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(4), pages 1-10, April.
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