Published

Eddy covariance tower at SRS-6 in lower Shark River before (left) and after (right) Hurricane Irma.
Credit: (left) Jordan Barr (right) Edward Castaneda

Long term data reveal that multiple types of disturbances — including cold snaps, fires, droughts, floods, and tides — play a strong role in shaping coastal ecosystems. Tropical storms can be beneficial by connecting upstream and downstream food webs and dispersing mangrove propagules into disturbance-generated canopy gaps. They also deliver phosphorus rich mineral deposits that promote mangrove transgression, increased soil elevation relative to sea level, and more rapid mangrove wetland recovery.

 

Learn more

  1. Danielson, T et al. 2017. Assessment of Everglades mangrove forest resilience: Implications for above-ground net primary productivity and carbon dynamics. Forest Ecology and Management. doi: 10.1016/j. foreco.2017.08.009

Contact

Evelyn Gaiser
gaisere@fiu.edu

Posted:  July 15, 2020