Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Benscoter, Brian

Abstract

Coastal mangrove forests are at risk of being submerged due to sea level rise (SLR). However, mangroves have persisted with changing sea levels due to a variety of biotic and physical feedback mechanisms that allow them to gain and maintain relative soil surface elevation. Mechanisms of surface elevation change (SEC) include leaf, wood, and root production, decomposition, and sedimentation/erosion, the combination of which result in a net change in the soil’s surface elevation. Therefore, mangrove forest resilience to SLR is dependent upon their ability to migrate inland or to build soil elevation at a rate that tracks with SLR. However, anthropogenic disturbances, such as altered hydrology and eutrophication, can degrade mangrove forest health and compromise their land building processes placing them at greater risk of succumbing to SLR.

Extent

175 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2022.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00014078

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS