Mangrove ghost forests provide opportunities for seagrass

• DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2023.1284829
• Publication Date: 2023-12-06T15:16:51Z
• Authors: Alice J. Twomey; Timothy L. Staples; Amelia Remmerswaal; Ananth Wuppukondur; Catherine E. Love...
• Keywords: Blue carbon

Mangrove forests are degraded by extreme climatic events worldwide, often leaving behind dead standing stems called “ghost forests”. Ghost may provide opportunities for seagrass colonization but there is limited research into the conditions found within these ecosystems, or whether they a suitable habitat seagrasses. This study aimed to characterize environmental mangrove ghost forests, determine survival, and identify was present of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Six locations adjacent live meadows were selected biophysical habitats over six sites assessed. Two have (Godwin Beach South Stradbroke). Suitable water temperature linked presence abundance forests. characteristics, including canopy cover, diameter at breast height, stem densities, contributed variation in environment among three habitats, suggesting that light key factor limiting Overall, results suggest can seagrasses, mangroves transition under future sea level rise scenarios.