Identifying the Ecological and Management Implications of Mangrove Migration in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Project Information
Project Completion: July 2021. This project is now complete
Principal Investigator(s): Michael Osland, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Implements Science Plan Theme: Adaptation
Key Points
- Developed temperature range projections for when mangrove expansion can occur
- Targeted both scientists and resource managers with audience-specific products
- Reviewed current literature on how mangrove expansion is changing wetland ecosystem services
“…essential to understanding potential changes in coastal wetlands throughout the southeastern U.S.”
Overview
Freeze events in the Southeast determine what plants are present in coastal wetlands. Mangrove forests are sensitive to freeze events, which limits them to places that do not freeze. And salt marshes have freeze-tolerant grass-like plants. Warming winters have fewer freeze events, which means that mangrove ecosystems can now expand north. This has displaced salt marshes in parts of north Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.
We expect mangrove expansion north to continue as winters keep warming due to climate change. This changes the structure and function of wetlands. Salt marshes and mangroves both provide benefits, but they provide different kinds. Many ecosystem services of wetlands will change. This includes those related to wildlife habitat, fisheries support, water quality, and recreation. Projecting the effects of mangrove expansion can inform management decisions.
This project’s target audience is scientists and coastal resource managers. We created two products. First, we used data from a community-curated tool called the Mangrove Migration Network. This refined temperature thresholds for mangrove range expansion. This will help us understand the future conditions where mangrove expansion can occur. We also published a review article on how mangrove range expansion will impact wetland ecosystem services. This project can help inform the work of coastal resource managers.