Mangrove Forests: Ecology and Reponse to Natural and Man Induced Stressors

摘要

Mangrove swamps have been found to be one of the most productive zones of organic matter on the planet. They are vital to the early stages of most marine life, either directly or indirectly. This very comprehensive report covers the following factors: Mangrove distribution; species; adaptations and zonation; zonation and succession; physiographic types (riverine, fringe, basin, and dwarf forests); productivity; decomposition and use of litterfall; fisheries; climatic constraints on development; vulnerability to stressors (Natural-tropical cyclones, tidal waves, eustatic sea level rise and coastal erosion, and hypersalinity; Man induced - channelization, impoundment, sedimentation, thermal pollution, oil, mining); Recovery; Conclusion - conservation needs.