Mangrove expansion and population structure at a planted site, East London, South Africa

摘要: Avicennia marina (Forrsk.) Vierh. was planted in 1969 at Nahoon Estuary, East London, followed a few years later by the planting of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. and Rhizophora mucronata among larger A. trees. This study tested hypothesis that mangroves have expanded replaced salt marsh over 33-year period (1978–2011). It provides important information on growing higher latitudes, where they were thought to not occur naturally due lower annual average temperatures. further insights future scenarios possible shifts vegetation types climate change one most southerly distribution sites worldwide. The expansion measured using past aerial photographs Esri ArcGIS Desktop 10 software. In addition, field surveys completed 2011 determine population structure present mangrove forest relate this environmental conditions. showed area cover increased linearly ...