Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species

Abstract Mangroves, as a salt-tolerant evergreen broad-leaved vegetation ecosystem, are widely distributed along the coastlines of tropical and subtropical regions. In the field of ecology, scholars generally agree that climatic drivers, particularly temperature and precipitation patterns, play a cr...

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Main Authors: Jian Liao, Gaocong Li, Shuiyuan Zhang, Yuanfeng Yang, Yiyang Li, Zhongdian Dong, Yusong Guo, Zhongduo Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04364-y
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author Jian Liao
Gaocong Li
Shuiyuan Zhang
Yuanfeng Yang
Yiyang Li
Zhongdian Dong
Yusong Guo
Zhongduo Wang
author_facet Jian Liao
Gaocong Li
Shuiyuan Zhang
Yuanfeng Yang
Yiyang Li
Zhongdian Dong
Yusong Guo
Zhongduo Wang
author_sort Jian Liao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mangroves, as a salt-tolerant evergreen broad-leaved vegetation ecosystem, are widely distributed along the coastlines of tropical and subtropical regions. In the field of ecology, scholars generally agree that climatic drivers, particularly temperature and precipitation patterns, play a crucial role in regulating the global distribution, structure, and functions of mangroves. However, there are still significant challenges in research exploring the relationship between climate and mangrove distribution. This study focused on two dominant mangrove species in the northern margin of the South China Sea: Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina. By compiling reported data, utilizing database information, and integrating our field observations, we employed species distribution models to simulate the distribution areas of these two species and their habitat changes under global warming scenarios. Our results indicate that bio18 serves as the primary climatic factor shaping their distribution patterns. Specifically, K. obovata is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, while A. Marina exhibits a much broader distribution range, encompassing over 40 times the area of K. obovata. The niche overlap between these two species is relatively low, and global warming is further promoting the separation of their niches. Notably, the continued warming of the climate in the future is not expected to pose a significant threat to K. obovata. However, it significantly increases the risk of habitat loss for A. marina. This study underscores the urgent need to implement conservation measures for mangrove ecosystems, with particular priority given to those species that are currently experiencing or are vulnerable to habitat loss.
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spelling doaj-art-e64c6c8224b249ddac094bed4c625caf2025-08-20T02:05:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-04364-yGlobal warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove speciesJian Liao0Gaocong Li1Shuiyuan Zhang2Yuanfeng Yang3Yiyang Li4Zhongdian Dong5Yusong Guo6Zhongduo Wang7Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversitySchool of Electronics and Information Engineering, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityKey Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean UniversityAbstract Mangroves, as a salt-tolerant evergreen broad-leaved vegetation ecosystem, are widely distributed along the coastlines of tropical and subtropical regions. In the field of ecology, scholars generally agree that climatic drivers, particularly temperature and precipitation patterns, play a crucial role in regulating the global distribution, structure, and functions of mangroves. However, there are still significant challenges in research exploring the relationship between climate and mangrove distribution. This study focused on two dominant mangrove species in the northern margin of the South China Sea: Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina. By compiling reported data, utilizing database information, and integrating our field observations, we employed species distribution models to simulate the distribution areas of these two species and their habitat changes under global warming scenarios. Our results indicate that bio18 serves as the primary climatic factor shaping their distribution patterns. Specifically, K. obovata is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, while A. Marina exhibits a much broader distribution range, encompassing over 40 times the area of K. obovata. The niche overlap between these two species is relatively low, and global warming is further promoting the separation of their niches. Notably, the continued warming of the climate in the future is not expected to pose a significant threat to K. obovata. However, it significantly increases the risk of habitat loss for A. marina. This study underscores the urgent need to implement conservation measures for mangrove ecosystems, with particular priority given to those species that are currently experiencing or are vulnerable to habitat loss.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04364-yMangroveHabitatGlobal warmingNiche overlapHabitat loss
spellingShingle Jian Liao
Gaocong Li
Shuiyuan Zhang
Yuanfeng Yang
Yiyang Li
Zhongdian Dong
Yusong Guo
Zhongduo Wang
Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
Scientific Reports
Mangrove
Habitat
Global warming
Niche overlap
Habitat loss
title Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
title_full Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
title_fullStr Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
title_full_unstemmed Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
title_short Global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
title_sort global warming exacerbates the risk of habitat loss for regional mangrove species
topic Mangrove
Habitat
Global warming
Niche overlap
Habitat loss
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04364-y
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