Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane

Abstract Mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating hurricane impacts in coastal ecosystems, and their adaptive traits enable regeneration and forest recovery following these disturbances. Yet, how species‐specific regeneration varies across life stages and interacts with environmental conditions i...

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Main Authors: Veronica B. Restrepo, Edward Castañeda‐Moya, John S. Kominoski, Elena Solohin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Ecosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70298
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author Veronica B. Restrepo
Edward Castañeda‐Moya
John S. Kominoski
Elena Solohin
author_facet Veronica B. Restrepo
Edward Castañeda‐Moya
John S. Kominoski
Elena Solohin
author_sort Veronica B. Restrepo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating hurricane impacts in coastal ecosystems, and their adaptive traits enable regeneration and forest recovery following these disturbances. Yet, how species‐specific regeneration varies across life stages and interacts with environmental conditions is poorly understood. We quantified regeneration rates of three dominant species of mangrove seedlings and saplings (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle) recovering from a major hurricane. We selected forests with varying light availability and phosphorus (P) gradients in the Everglades (Florida, USA). From 2020 to 2022, we measured biannual stem elongation, height, and density of seedlings and saplings, and collected porewater variables (salinity, sulfide, and inorganic nutrients) and continuous light intensity to assess species‐specific drivers of regeneration. Species‐specific growth rates, total height, and density varied across sites, driven by differences in porewater P and light. Growth rates of R. mangle seedlings and both R. mangle and L. racemosa saplings were influenced by light, while A. germinans growth rates were unaffected. Only R. mangle and L. racemosa saplings were influenced by porewater P, while growth of both seedlings and saplings was unaffected by porewater salinity and sulfide. Mangrove regeneration post‐disturbance is explained by spatial differences in subsidies and stressors and the composition of species and life stages, underscoring complex regeneration strategies in mixed‐species forests.
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spelling doaj-art-42ccc8cd7f454bb7ab1b3f024224fbe22025-08-20T03:32:07ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252025-06-01166n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.70298Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricaneVeronica B. Restrepo0Edward Castañeda‐Moya1John S. Kominoski2Elena Solohin3Institute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USAInstitute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USAInstitute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USAInstitute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USAAbstract Mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating hurricane impacts in coastal ecosystems, and their adaptive traits enable regeneration and forest recovery following these disturbances. Yet, how species‐specific regeneration varies across life stages and interacts with environmental conditions is poorly understood. We quantified regeneration rates of three dominant species of mangrove seedlings and saplings (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle) recovering from a major hurricane. We selected forests with varying light availability and phosphorus (P) gradients in the Everglades (Florida, USA). From 2020 to 2022, we measured biannual stem elongation, height, and density of seedlings and saplings, and collected porewater variables (salinity, sulfide, and inorganic nutrients) and continuous light intensity to assess species‐specific drivers of regeneration. Species‐specific growth rates, total height, and density varied across sites, driven by differences in porewater P and light. Growth rates of R. mangle seedlings and both R. mangle and L. racemosa saplings were influenced by light, while A. germinans growth rates were unaffected. Only R. mangle and L. racemosa saplings were influenced by porewater P, while growth of both seedlings and saplings was unaffected by porewater salinity and sulfide. Mangrove regeneration post‐disturbance is explained by spatial differences in subsidies and stressors and the composition of species and life stages, underscoring complex regeneration strategies in mixed‐species forests.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70298coastal wetlandforest recoverygrowthHurricane Irmaresiliencesoil properties
spellingShingle Veronica B. Restrepo
Edward Castañeda‐Moya
John S. Kominoski
Elena Solohin
Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
Ecosphere
coastal wetland
forest recovery
growth
Hurricane Irma
resilience
soil properties
title Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
title_full Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
title_fullStr Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
title_full_unstemmed Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
title_short Multiple factors explain species‐specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
title_sort multiple factors explain species specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane
topic coastal wetland
forest recovery
growth
Hurricane Irma
resilience
soil properties
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70298
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