Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics

Coastal wetlands — mangrove forests, tidal flats, and salt marshes — are among the most productive and threatened ecosystems on Earth, sitting at the intersection of land, sea, and human settlement. Researchers study how these systems cycle carbon, buffer shorelines against storm surges, and support fisheries, while also tracking how rising seas, warming temperatures, and land-use pressure are reshaping or eliminating them. A central open question is how fast and under what conditions wetlands can migrate or accrete vertically to keep pace with accelerating sea-level rise, since the answer determines whether restoration efforts can realistically offset losses. Scientists are also working to quantify "blue carbon" stocks with enough precision to support credible climate policy, and to identify which restoration interventions produce durable ecosystem recovery rather than short-lived gains.

Works

76,198

Total citations

1,258,543

Keywords

Mangrove ForestsCoastal ProtectionCarbon SequestrationSea-Level RiseEcosystem ServicesWetland Restoration