Nutrient controls on biocomplexity of mangrove ecosystems
Mangrove forests are important coastal ecosystems that provide a variety of ecological and societal services. These intertidal, tree-dominated communities along tropical coastlines are often described as “simple systems,” compared to other tropical forests with larger numbers of plant species and multiple understory strata; however, mangrove ecosystems have complex trophic structures, and organisms exhibit unique physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations to environmental conditions characteristic of the land-sea interface. Biogeochemical functioning of mangrove forests is also controlled by interactions among the microbial, plant, and animal communities and feedback linkages mediated by hydrology and other forcing functions. Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the National Wetlands Research Center are working to understand more fully the impact of nutrient variability on these delicate and important ecosystems.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2004 |
---|---|
Title | Nutrient controls on biocomplexity of mangrove ecosystems |
DOI | 10.3133/fs20043124 |
Authors | Karen L. McKee |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Series Title | Fact Sheet |
Series Number | 2004-3124 |
Index ID | fs20043124 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | National Wetlands Research Center |