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Microclimate Influences Mangrove Freeze Damage: Implications for Range Expansion in Response to Changing Macroclimate

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Abstract

In response to warming winter air temperatures, freeze-sensitive mangrove forests are expected to expand at the expense of freeze-tolerant salt marshes. To better anticipate and prepare for mangrove range expansion, there is a need to advance understanding of the modulating role of microclimate. Here, we synthesized hypotheses regarding the effects of microclimatic variation on temperature gradients and mangrove freeze damage. Temperature data from the literature and from temperature loggers were used to quantify ecologically relevant temperature gradients. Then, literature-derived mangrove freeze damage data were used to quantify the ecological effects of these temperature gradients. Six microclimatic factors are described that produce air temperature gradients that modulate mangrove responses to winter temperature extremes: (1) distance from the ocean; (2) distance from wind buffers; (3) mangrove canopy cover; (4) height above the soil surface; (5) local slope concavity; and (6) tidal inundation. Variation in these factors produces local temperature differences that range from 2 to 14 °C, with concomitant effects on horizontal and vertical patterns of biological damage from freezing. Collectively, our results elucidate the influence of microclimate on spatial patterns of biological damage and mortality due to winter temperature extremes. As mangrove ranges expand in response to climate change, we anticipate that microclimatic variation will produce adverse environments where mangrove expansion is prohibited as well as expansion hot spots where mangroves are protected. Subsequent expansion into newly available habitat will occur from protection zones, and microclimatic gradients may even produce positive feedback cycles that ultimately accelerate the rate of range expansion in response to warming.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Don Cahoon and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on a previous version of this manuscript. This research was partially supported by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, USGS Land Change Science Program, and the USGS Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science Program. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government. We thank the ConocoPhillips Company/Louisiana Land and Exploration Company LLC for permission to conduct research on their land.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA

    Michael J. Osland, Richard H. Day, Courtney T. Hall, Laura C. Feher & William C. Vervaeke

  2. Hartmann Consulting Services at the U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA

    Arik M. Hartmann

  3. Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC-5 360, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Michael S. Ross

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  1. Michael J. Osland
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  2. Arik M. Hartmann
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  5. Courtney T. Hall
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  6. Laura C. Feher
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Contributions

MJO conceived the study. AMH compiled the literature-derived data with guidance from MJO. CTH, LCF, MJO, and RHD collected the field-derived temperature data. AMH and MJO analyzed the data and developed the figures. MJO wrote the first manuscript draft. All authors contributed to subsequent manuscript drafts and gave final approval for publication. The field-derived temperature data are available via Osland et al. (2019).

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Correspondence to Michael J. Osland.

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Osland, M.J., Hartmann, A.M., Day, R.H. et al. Microclimate Influences Mangrove Freeze Damage: Implications for Range Expansion in Response to Changing Macroclimate. Estuaries and Coasts 42, 1084–1096 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-019-00533-1

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