From Past to Present: Mangroves of the Northern Neotropics
A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1854
Editors
Interests: paleoecology; ancient Maya; vegetation ecology; mangroves
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The mangrove forests of today in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean are a product of Holocene history, influenced by rising sea levels and climate change. Following the Last Glacial Maximum, the rise in sea level during the Early Holocene allowed mangroves to expand and form the coastal systems seen today. Climate change (like past droughts) and subsequent human impact marked the start of mangrove changes in the area.
Today, the region holds about 26% of the world's mangroves, which are vital ‘Blue Carbon’ ecosystems. They are characterized by dominant species like Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), forming fringe, riverine, and basin forest types. These forests are essential nurseries for fisheries and provide crucial coastal protection against storms.
However, the region currently faces intense conservation challenges, including deforestation for aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development.
Dr. Gerald Alexander Islebe
Guest Editor
Dr. Alejandro Antonio Aragón-Moreno
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- holocene
- mangrove ecology
- mangrove dynamics
- climate change effects
- conservation
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