Hydrodynamic Limitations to Mangrove Seedling Retention in Subtropical Estuaries

Kelly M. Kibler, Christian Pilato, Linda J. Walters, Melinda Donnelly and Jyotismita Taye
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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
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
Melinda Donnelly: National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, 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

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-18

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.

Keywords: coastal sustainability; mangrove recruitment; living shoreline; restoration; hydrodynamics; bank erosion; wetlands; natural infrastructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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