Variations in tree height among mangroves and their environmental adaptive mechanisms in China’s coastal areas

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The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the variations in tree height and the underlying mechanisms shaping them in China's coastal mangroves. This knowledge will serve as a scientific foundation for the restoration and afforestation efforts in China's coastal mangrove regions, as well as the reconstruction of mangrove ecosystems. Methods To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing literature spanning the years 1990 to 2022, examining the interplay between soil composition, climate conditions, and tidal range in relation to tree height within China's mangrove ecosystems. We established a database of mangrove tree height and environmental factors to compare the differences in tree height and environmental factors between mangroves in Guangxi and the Southeast China coast. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and mangrove tree height as well as the key factors affecting the tree height of mangroves in Guangxi coast and the Southeast China coast. Important findings Our findings reveal noteworthy disparities in tree height between Guangxi coastal mangroves and those found along the Southeast China coast. These variations in tree height are associated with significant differences in environmental factors between these regions. Specifically, Guangxi exhibits the highest mean annual precipitation, mean tidal range, and soil salinity, while recording the lowest levels of soil pH, soil total nitrogen content, and total phosphorus content. Upon closer analysis, we identified significant correlations