Drivers of mangrove distribution at the high-energy, wave-dominated, southern African range limit

Mangrove distribution patterns at regional scales are influenced by additional factors besides temperature and rainfall regimes. This study identified abiotic drivers of mangrove area cover along the high-energy, wave-dominated coastline of South Africa. This is one of the southernmost locations glo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Estuarine, coastal and shelf science coastal and shelf science, 2019-10, Vol.226, p.106296, Article 106296
Main Authors: Raw, Jacqueline L., Godbold, Jasmin A., van Niekerk, Lara, Adams, Janine B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeographic patterns
Climatic drivers
Estuaries
Geomorphological drivers
Southern Africa
Structural equation modelling
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Summary:Mangrove distribution patterns at regional scales are influenced by additional factors besides temperature and rainfall regimes. This study identified abiotic drivers of mangrove area cover along the high-energy, wave-dominated coastline of South Africa. This is one of the southernmost locations globally for mangroves. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to delineate relationships between multiple variables that represented climatic and geomorphological drivers of current mangrove distribution patterns. Floodplain area, inlet stability, and the flow regime of the estuary were identified as significant predictors of mangrove area. The results of this study confirm that for this region mangrove distribution is controlled by coastal topographical features and estuarine dynamics rather than temperature minima. This is similar to other high-energy, wave-dominated coasts of Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand. Future research should, therefore, incorporate regional-scale factors that restrict current distributions as they could inform on potential limitations to expansion, particularly for southern hemisphere range limits. [Display omitted] •Understanding current drivers of distribution can inform on expected shifts.•Drivers at range limits are different for global regions.•Estuarine geomorphology is the most important driver at the southern African limit.•Current distribution is not restricted by temperature.•Similar trends are found at other southern hemisphere range limits for mangroves.
ISSN:0272-7714
1096-0015
DOI:10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106296