Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 1-14.doi: 10.11978/YG2020006CSTR: 32234.14.YG2020006

• Review •     Next Articles

Impacts, challenges and opportunities of global climate change on mangrove ecosystems

WANG Youshao1,2,3,4()   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. Daya Bay Marine Biology Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
    3. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
    4. Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2020-11-16 Revised:2021-01-07 Online:2021-05-10 Published:2021-01-08
  • Contact: WANG Youshao E-mail:yswang@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1901211);National Natural Science Foundation of China(41876126);National Natural Science Foundation of China(41430966);National Natural Science Foundation of China(4117610);National Natural Science Foundation of China(41076070);National Key Research and Development Plan (Science & Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China)(2017FY100700);Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA23050200);Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA13010500);Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA13020503);International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(133244KYSB20180012);Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)(GML2019ZD0305)

Abstract:

Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants of tropical and subtropical intertidal regions distributed mainly between latitudes 25°S and 25°N globally. They have high productivity, high return rate, high decomposition rate, and high resistance, which cover roughly 60%-75% of the world’s tropical coastlines. Mangroves are distributed over more than 118 countries with a total area near 17 million hectares in the world, and their net primary productivity is up to 2000 gC·m-2·a-1. They form a widespread ecosystem and also play an important role in the process of global change. Global climate change has aroused great concerns in the last three decades. Mangroves are a vulnerable and eco-sensitive ecosystem along tropical and subtropical intertidal shores that are regulated by both lands and oceans. They are one of the typical marine ecosystems that can be affected by global climate change. As an important ecological barrier along the coast, global climate change will also affect the survival and distribution of mangroves in the world. The present paper briefly reviews the impacts of global climate change on mangroves in terms of global warming, sea-level rise, atmospheric CO2 concentration increase, and extreme weather. The ongoing global climate change will bring great challenges and opportunities to research, maintenance, and development of mangroves in the future.

Key words: marine ecosystem, mangroves, global climate change, responses and adaptation, opportunity and challenge

CLC Number: 

  • P467