Environmental controls of mangrove propagule and seedling establishment: salinity, hypoxia, sulfide, sediment instability, and early root function
6 affiliations
- 1College of Horticulture, Jinling Institute of Technology
- 2Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University
- 3College of Agriculture, Institute of Rice Industry Technology Research, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Guizhou University
- 4Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biology for Mango, College of Agriculture and Food Engineering, Baise University
- 5School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
- 6Hong Kong Metropolitan University Shenzhen Research Institute
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.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026environmental,
title = {{Environmental controls of mangrove propagule and seedling establishment: salinity, hypoxia, sulfide, sediment instability, and early root function}},
author = {Min Zhang and Huanshi Zhang and Abdul Khalique and Zameer Hussain and Bilquees Bozdar and Muzammil Hussain and Fred Wang-Fat Lee and Steven Jing-Liang Xu and Min Pan and Tsz Wai Ng and Tao Lang and Nazir Ahmed},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Environmental controls of mangrove propagule and seedling establishment: salinity, hypoxia, sulfide, sediment instability, and early root function
AU - Min Zhang
AU - Huanshi Zhang
AU - Abdul Khalique
AU - Zameer Hussain
AU - Bilquees Bozdar
AU - Muzammil Hussain
AU - Fred Wang-Fat Lee
AU - Steven Jing-Liang Xu
AU - Min Pan
AU - Tsz Wai Ng
AU - Tao Lang
AU - Nazir Ahmed
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1986366/full
AB - 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.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -