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On the halophytic nature of mangroves

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Abstract

Scientists have discussed the halophytic nature of intertidal plants for decades, and have generally suggested that inherent differentiation of an obligate halophyte from a facultative halophyte relates strongly to whether the plant can survive in fresh water, and not much else. In this mini-review, we provide additional insight to support the pervasive notion that mangroves as a group are truly facultative halophytes, and thus add discourse to the alternate view that mangroves have an obligate salinity requirement. Indeed, growth and physiological optima are realized at moderate salinity concentrations in mangroves, but we maintain the notion that current evidence suggests that survival is not dependent upon a physiological requirement for salt.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the US Geological Survey Climate and Land Use Change R&D Program and the Australian Research Council (Discovery Project DP1096749) for research support. Karen L. McKee, Robert D. Guy, and Ulrich Lüttge provided reviews of previous manuscript drafts. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA

    Ken W. Krauss

  2. Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, The RN Robertson Bldg. (#46), Biology Place, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Marilyn C. Ball

Authors
  1. Ken W. Krauss
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  2. Marilyn C. Ball
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Correspondence to Ken W. Krauss.

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Communicated by R. Guy.

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Krauss, K.W., Ball, M.C. On the halophytic nature of mangroves. Trees 27, 7–11 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0767-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0767-7

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