Variations in tree height among mangroves and their environmental adaptive mechanisms in China’s coastal areas

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2023.0033

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the variations in tree height and the underlying mechanisms shaping them in China’s coastal mangroves. This knowledge will serve as a scientific foundation for the restoration and afforestation efforts in China’s coastal mangrove regions, as well as the reconstruction of mangrove ecosystems.
Methods To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing literature spanning the years 1990 to 2022, examining the interplay between soil composition, climate conditions, and tidal range in relation to tree height within China’s mangrove ecosystems. We established a database of mangrove tree height and environmental factors to compare the differences in tree height and environmental factors between mangroves in Guangxi and the Southeast China coast. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and mangrove tree height as well as the key factors affecting the tree height of mangroves in Guangxi coast and the Southeast China coast.
Important findings Our findings reveal noteworthy disparities in tree height between Guangxi coastal mangroves and those found along the Southeast China coast. These variations in tree height are associated with significant differences in environmental factors between these regions. Specifically, Guangxi exhibits the highest mean annual precipitation, mean tidal range, and soil salinity, while recording the lowest levels of soil pH, soil total nitrogen content, and total phosphorus content. Upon closer analysis, we identified significant correlations between various environmental factors and mangrove tree height. Notably, mean tidal range, soil pH, and soil salinity displayed significant negative associations with mangrove tree height, whereas mean annual temperature, soil density, soil total nitrogen content, and soil total phosphorus content showed significant positive correlations. The results derived from structural equation models highlighted the paramount influence of mean tidal range, total soil phosphorus content, and soil pH on mangrove tree height. Mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature directly impact the radial growth of mangroves or indirectly influence tree height by regulating the interactions among other environmental factors. Further examination using linear mixed-effects models demonstrated that the mean annual temperature, mean tidal range, and soil salinity emerged as the primary limiting factors affecting the radial growth of mangroves along the coast of Guangxi. In contrast, soil factors predominantly constrained the radial growth of mangroves in the Southeast China coastal areas (excluding Fujian).

Key words: mangroves, tree height, environmental factor, structural equation model, linear mixed-effect analysis, coastal areas of China

PAN Yuan-Fang, PAN Liang-Hao, QIU Si-Ting, QIU Guang-Long, SU Zhi-Nan, SHI Xiao-Fang, FAN Hang-Qing. Variations in tree height among mangroves and their environmental adaptive mechanisms in China’s coastal areas[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2024, 48(4): 483-495.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2023.0033

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2024/V48/I4/483

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Distribution of mangrove research literature in coastal areas of China. FJ, Fujian plots; GD, Guangdong plots; GX, Gangxi plots; HN, Hainan plots; lack of data in Zhejiang, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan of China.

Fig. 2 Comparison of tree height of mangroves in coast of Guangxi and Southeast China (mean ± SD). FJ, Fujian; GD, Guangdong; GX, Guangxi; HN, Hainan; GX1, research data in literature of Guangxi; GX2, survey data of 270 mangrove plots of 10 m × 10 m along the coast of Guangxi in 2017. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05).

Fig. 3 Comparison of environmental factors in coast of Guangxi and Southeast China (mean ± SD). MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual air temperature; MTR, mean tidal range; pH, soil pH; SD, soil density; SOM, soil organic matter content; SS, soil salinity; TN, soil total nitrogen content; TP, soil total phosphorus content. FJ, Fujian; GD, Guangdong; GX, Guangxi; HN, Hainan. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05).

Fig. 4 Relationship between environmental factors and tree height of mangroves. H, tree height; MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual air temperature; MTR, mean tidal range; pH, soil pH; SD, soil density; SOM, soil organic matter content; SS, soil salinity; TN, soil total nitrogen content; TP, soil total phosphorus content. Grey areas indicate 95% confidence interval.

Fig. 5 Structural equation model for the effect of environmental factors on tree height of mangroves. H, tree height; pH, soil pH; MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual air temperature; MTR, mean tidal range; SD, soil density; SOM, soil organic matter content; SS, soil salinity; TN, soil total nitrogen content; TP, soil total phosphorus content. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001. Red arrows indicate positive correlation; blue arrows indicate negative correlation, thickness of arrows represent the strength of the correlation.

Fig. 6 Linear mixed-effects model of environmental factors on tree height. FJ, Fujian; GD, Guangdong; GX, Guangxi. HN, Hainan. pH, soil pH; MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual air temperature; MTR, mean tidal range; SD, soil density; SOM, soil organic matter content; SS, soil salinity; TN, soil total nitrogen content; TP, soil total phosphorus content. Green indicate significant negative correlation (p < 0.05), purple indicates significant positive correlation (p < 0.05), black indicates no significant correlation (p > 0.05).

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