Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.6
2.5
Journals
Forests
Special Issues
Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions
share announcement

Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 11824

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniel M. Alongi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tropical Coastal & Mangrove Consultants, Pakenham, VIC 3810, Australia
Interests: mangrove ecology; coastal biogeochemistry; energetics of tropical coastal ecosystems; marine environmental change; coastal ecology and biogeochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mangroves constitute a globally significant forest ecosystem that exists between land and sea, with associated problems and advantages being inherent to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. While mangroves have had a troubled past and continue to have an uncertain present and future, they are heavily used for a wide array of ecosystem goods and services. They remain heavily deforested for timber and are used in housing and other forms of construction. Moreover, they are utilized for charcoal, food, and medicine. Mangrove ecosystems offer coastal protection and provide cultural values to hundreds of millions of indigenous populations throughout the subtropics and tropics. At broader scales, mangroves are negatively affected by climate change, especially by the rising of sea levels and by extreme weather events. Most recently, the role of mangroves has been considered in climate change mitigation and adaptation as they are the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth, sequestering disproportionate amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide into their sediments.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for papers dealing with present and future issues and perspectives with respect to mangrove forest science, conservation, and management. Topics include the current state of vital mangrove areas, means and modes of deforestation and degradation, blue carbon science, future projections (including modeling forecasts of mangrove forest area), new frontiers of science and management (such as advances in genomics and molecular biology), and conservation measures. We encourage studies from all fields, including experimental, theoretical, and numerical models; field and experimental studies; real case studies; and decision-making rules.

Dr. Daniel M. Alongi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change
  • conservation
  • management
  • blue carbon
  • genomics and genetics
  • deforestation and degradation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 3421 KB  
Article
Blue Carbon Investment Potential in Lamu and Kwale Counties of Kenya: Carbon Inventory and Market Prospects
by James Gitundu Kairo, Anthony Mbatha, Gabriel Njoroge Wanyoike, Fredrick Mungai, Brian Kiiru Githinji, Joseph Kipkorir Sigi Lang’at, Gladys Kinya, Gilbert Kiplangat Kosgei, Kisilu Mary and Lisa Oming'o
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111717 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 347
Abstract
Blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, play a crucial role in climate regulation by capturing and storing huge stocks of carbon. Together with supporting fisheries production, protecting shorelines from erosion, and supplying timber and non-timber products to communities, blue carbon [...] Read more.
Blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, play a crucial role in climate regulation by capturing and storing huge stocks of carbon. Together with supporting fisheries production, protecting shorelines from erosion, and supplying timber and non-timber products to communities, blue carbon ecosystems offer investment opportunities through carbon markets, thus supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihoods. The current study assessed above- and below-ground biomass, sediment carbon, and the capacity of the blue carbon ecosystems in Kwale and Lamu Counties, Kenya, to capture and store carbon. This was followed by mapping of hotspot areas of degradation and the identification of investment opportunities in blue carbon credits. Carbon densities in mangroves were estimated at 560.23 Mg C ha−1 in Lamu and 526.34 Mg C ha−1 in Kwale, with sediments accounting for more than 70% of the stored carbon. In seagrass ecosystems, carbon densities measured 171.65 Mg C ha−1 in Lamu and 220.29 Mg C ha−1 in Kwale, values that surpass the national average but are consistent with global figures. Mangrove cover is declining at 0.49% yr−1 in Kwale and 0.16% yr−1 in Lamu, while seagrass losses in Lamu are 0.67% yr−1, with a 0.34% yr−1 increase in Kwale. Under a business-as-usual scenario, mangrove loss over 30 years will result in emissions of 4.43 million tCO2e in Kwale and 18.96 million tCO2e in Lamu. Effective interventions could enhance carbon sequestration from 0.12 to 3.86 million tCO2e in Kwale and 0.62 to 19.52 million tCO2e in Lamu. At the same period, seagrass losses in Lamu would emit 5.21 million tCO2e. With a conservative carbon price of 20 USD per tCO2e, projected annual revenues from mangrove carbon credits amount to USD 3.59 million in both Lamu and Kwale, and USD 216,040 for seagrass carbon credits in Lamu. These findings highlight the substantial climate and financial benefits of investing in the restoration and protection of the two ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4017 KB  
Article
Mapping and Estimating Blue Carbon in Mangrove Forests Using Drone and Field-Based Tree Height Data: A Cost-Effective Tool for Conservation and Management
by Ali Karimi, Behrooz Abtahi and Keivan Kabiri
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071196 - 20 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571
Abstract
Mangrove forests are vital blue carbon (BC) ecosystems that significantly contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Accurate, scalable, and cost-effective methods for estimating carbon stocks in these environments are essential for conservation planning. In this study, we assessed the potential of [...] Read more.
Mangrove forests are vital blue carbon (BC) ecosystems that significantly contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Accurate, scalable, and cost-effective methods for estimating carbon stocks in these environments are essential for conservation planning. In this study, we assessed the potential of drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) and BC in Avicennia marina stands by integrating drone-based canopy measurements with field-measured tree heights. Using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and a consumer-grade drone, we generated a canopy height model and extracted structural parameters from individual trees in the Melgonze mangrove patch, southern Iran. Field-measured tree heights served to validate drone-derived estimates and calibrate an allometric model tailored for A. marina. While drone-based heights differed significantly from field measurements (p < 0.001), the resulting AGB and BC estimates showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), demonstrating that crown area (CA) and model formulation effectively compensate for height inaccuracies. This study confirms that drones can provide reliable estimates of BC through non-invasive means—eliminating the need to harvest, cut, or physically disturb individual trees—supporting their application in mangrove monitoring and ecosystem service assessments, even under challenging field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4032 KB  
Article
The Geometry of Southern China’s Mangroves: Small and Elongated
by Lin Zhang, Yijuan Deng, Wenqing Wang and Mao Wang
Forests 2025, 16(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020212 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1414
Abstract
Mangrove wetlands are naturally divided into habitat patches by tidal creeks, with patch edges highly vulnerable to human activities and biological invasions, making them critical areas for mangrove degradation. Understanding the geometrical characteristics of these patches is essential for mangrove management in the [...] Read more.
Mangrove wetlands are naturally divided into habitat patches by tidal creeks, with patch edges highly vulnerable to human activities and biological invasions, making them critical areas for mangrove degradation. Understanding the geometrical characteristics of these patches is essential for mangrove management in the Anthropocene, yet their exploration remains limited. Using a high-resolution (2 m) mangrove distribution dataset from 2018, we analyzed the patch structure of mangroves in southern China. This study revealed predominantly small and elongated patches, with an average area of 0.044 km2 and a median of 0.011 km2 across 5857 patches. About 65% of patches had a major-axis length over twice their minor-axis length. The patch number and area peaked between 19° N and 22° N. The patch number and area peaked between 19° N and 22° N. In the 0.1° × 0.1° latitudinal-longitudinal grid, the maximum mangrove area was 9.03 km2, consisting of 192 patches. Additionally, the patch composition and geometric characteristics differed significantly among the existing reserves. These findings highlight the need to prioritize the patch geometry in management strategies, especially in regions with numerous small patches prone to degradation and invasion. Additionally, this study underscores a critical research gap: the ecological impacts of mangrove fragmentation on biodiversity and ecosystem services remain poorly understood. Future research should focus on how the patch structure and landscape configuration influence ecological processes in mangrove wetlands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 1640 KB  
Review
A Review of Applying Drones and Remote Sensing Technology in Mangrove Ecology
by Wenjie Xu, Xiaoguang Ouyang, Xi Xiao, Yiguo Hong, Yuan Zhang, Zhihao Xu, Bong-Oh Kwon and Zhifeng Yang
Forests 2025, 16(6), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060870 - 22 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2240
Abstract
: Mangrove forests are one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity and the highest functional value of ecosystem services in the world. For mangrove research, it is particularly important to facilitate mangrove mapping, plant species classification, biomass, and carbon sink estimation using [...] Read more.
: Mangrove forests are one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity and the highest functional value of ecosystem services in the world. For mangrove research, it is particularly important to facilitate mangrove mapping, plant species classification, biomass, and carbon sink estimation using remote sensing technologies. Recently, more and more studies have combined unmanned aerial vehicles and remote sensing technology to estimate plant traits and the biomass of mangrove forests. Various multispectral and hyperspectral data are used to establish various vegetation indices for plant classification, and data models for biomass estimation and carbon sink calculation. This study systematically reviews the use of remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicles in mangrove studies during the past three decades based on 2424 peer-reviewed papers. By synthesizing these studies, we identify the pros and cons of different indices and models developed from remote sensing technologies by sorting out past cases. Specifically, we review the use of remote sensing technologies in mapping the past and present area, plant species composition, and biomass of mangrove forests and examine the threats to the degradation of mangrove forests. Our findings reveal that there is increasing integration of machine learning and remote sensing to facilitate mangrove mapping and species identification. Moreover, multiple sources of remote sensing data tend to be combined to improve species classification accuracy and enhance the precision of mangrove biomass estimates when integrated with field-based data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 4155 KB  
Review
Global Meta-Analysis of Mangrove Primary Production: Implications for Carbon Cycling in Mangrove and Other Coastal Ecosystems
by Daniel M. Alongi
Forests 2025, 16(5), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050747 - 27 Apr 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4878
Abstract
Mangrove forests are among the most productive vascular plants on Earth. The gross (GPP) and aboveground forest net primary production (ANPP) correlate positively with precipitation. ANPP also correlates inversely with porewater salinity. The main drivers of the forest primary production are the porewater [...] Read more.
Mangrove forests are among the most productive vascular plants on Earth. The gross (GPP) and aboveground forest net primary production (ANPP) correlate positively with precipitation. ANPP also correlates inversely with porewater salinity. The main drivers of the forest primary production are the porewater salinity, rainfall, tidal inundation frequency, light intensity, humidity, species age and composition, temperature, nutrient availability, disturbance history, and geomorphological setting. Wood production correlates positively with temperature and rainfall, with rates comparable to tropical humid forests. Litterfall accounts for 55% of the NPP which is greater than previous estimates. The fine root production is highest in deltas and estuaries and lowest in carbonate and open-ocean settings. The GPP and NPP exhibit large methodological and regional differences, but mangroves are several times more productive than other coastal blue carbon habitats, excluding macroalgal beds. Mangroves contribute 4 to 28% of coastal blue carbon fluxes. The mean and median canopy respiration equate to 1.7 and 2.7 g C m−2 d−1, respectively, which is higher than previous estimates. Mangrove ecosystem carbon fluxes are currently in balance. However, the global mangrove GPP has increased from 2001 to 2020 and is forecast to continue increasing to at least 2100 due to the strong fertilization effect of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop