{
  "abstract": "Mangrove propagules and seedlings encounter interacting environmental constraints before secure anchorage and functional root systems develop. This narrative review synthesizes hydrological, physiological, biogeochemical, and sediment evidence to organize establishment into propagule delivery, retention, rooting, seedling persistence, and progression toward sapling recruitment. Tidal connectivity, elevation, hydroperiod, and drainage influence both propagule movement and root-zone conditions. Porewater salinity imposes osmotic and ionic demands, whereas prolonged oxygen limitation and sulfide exposure can impair root metabolism. Erosion, burial, and hydrodynamic disturbance can prevent establishment before physiological tolerance becomes decisive. Species, developmental stage, microsite conditions, and biotic interactions modify these responses. The synthesis supports three conclusions: propagule supply must be distinguished from post-arrival loss; similar mortality patterns can arise from different mechanisms; and successful establishment requires persistence across successive physical and physiological constraints. We therefore propose a diagnosis-first framework connecting field cues to confirmation measurements, competing explanations, and conditional restoration actions. The framework is an evidence-synthesized conceptual guide, not a validated predictive model or a source of universal thresholds. Its practical implication is to assess limiting site processes before committing to planting, while retaining assisted regeneration where propagule supply is demonstrably inadequate. Multi-site, stage-resolved monitoring is needed to test whether this approach improves restoration outcomes across geomorphic settings and disturbance histories.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "College of Horticulture, Jinling Institute of Technology",
    "Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University",
    "College of Agriculture, Institute of Rice Industry Technology Research, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Guizhou University",
    "Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biology for Mango, College of Agriculture and Food Engineering, Baise University",
    "School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University",
    "Hong Kong Metropolitan University Shenzhen Research Institute"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Min Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Huanshi Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Abdul Khalique"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zameer Hussain"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Bilquees Bozdar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Muzammil Hussain"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Fred Wang-Fat Lee"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Steven Jing-Liang Xu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Min Pan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Tsz Wai Ng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Tao Lang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Nazir Ahmed"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f332489xwws01.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "f332489xwws01",
  "issns": [
    "1664-462X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366/full",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2303|Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223155001",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f332489xwws01.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:25Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2303|Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics",
      "subfield": "ecology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Environmental controls of mangrove propagule and seedling establishment: salinity, hypoxia, sulfide, sediment instability, and early root function",
  "title_text": "Environmental controls of mangrove propagule and seedling establishment: salinity, hypoxia, sulfide, sediment instability, and early root function",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:25Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f332489xwws01",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Plant Science",
  "versions": []
}