Natural Wetlands Research Articles

Afro-Palaearctic migrant birds rid themselves of haemoparasite infections when breeding in the temperate zone.

In migratory passerines, the prevalence and parasitaemia of blood parasites often increase towards the end of the breeding season. Consequently, post-breeding migration to winter quarters can be seen as a strategy to avoid the rising pathogen pressure during this time (migratory escape). I studied haemoparasite infections in sedge warblers (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) inhabiting natural wetlands in southern Poland, examining the same individuals just after their arrival from wintering grounds, and again during incubation or nestling feeding. The birds were found to be infected more often immediately after arrival than during subsequent sampling. Parasitaemia also decreased significantly as the season progressed. The health status of individuals appeared to improve during the breeding season, whereas the higher level of parasitaemia just after arrival suggests that infections had occurred earlier, on the wintering grounds or during migratory stopovers.

Remote sensing and GPS tracking reveal temporal shifts in habitat use in nonbreeding Black‐tailed Godwits

Abstract Knowledge of the habitat requirements for migratory species throughout their full annual cycle is necessary for comprehensive species protection plans. By describing seasonal shifts of space‐use patterns in a key nonbreeding area, the Senegal Delta (Mauritania, Senegal), this study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the annual cycle of the rapidly declining continental Black‐tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa. We fitted continuous‐time stochastic‐process movement models with GPS location data to describe the core areas used by 22 GPS‐tagged godwits over the 2022–2023 nonbreeding period. We mapped key habitat types, such as floodplain wetlands and rice fields, via supervised classification of satellite imagery. Godwits in the Senegal Delta show a distinct shift in habitat use over the nonbreeding period. The core areas of godwits in the early stages of the nonbreeding period (the wet season) were primarily in natural wetlands and fields with newly planted rice. As the rice crop matured and became too dense, godwits moved towards more recently sown rice fields. Later, as floodwaters receded and rice fields dried out, godwits abandoned rice fields and shifted towards natural wetlands with fewer invasive plants, particularly within the marshes and shallow floodplains of nature‐protected areas in the lower Delta. Synthesis and applications: Our findings illustrate the shifting importance of natural and agricultural wetlands for godwits at different stages of the nonbreeding season. Protected areas in the Senegal Delta, particularly the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal) and Diawling National Park (Mauritania), are crucial habitats during the dry season as godwits prepare for their northward migration, whilst rice fields take a key role during the wet season. Conservation efforts should prioritize eradicating invasive plants from the Djoudj and Diawling, as well as promote agroecological management in specific rice production complexes indicated in this study.

The Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Mudflat Wetland in the Yellow Sea Using Landsat Time Series

Mudflat wetland, one of the 27 surface elements identified by the International Geographic Data Committee, has undergone substantial transformations with the rapid growth of the social economy and marine hazards, resulting in significant changes in its area and distribution. Quick identification of mudflat wetland evolution is vital to improve the mudflat ecological service value. We employed object-oriented and decision tree classification methods to map the mudflat wetland in the Yellow Sea using the Landsat time series from 1983 to 2020. The Improved Spectral Water Index (IWI) was established by combining the characteristics of many ratio indices and using ratio operation and quadratic power operation. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the IWI was calculated, and the range of the intertidal zone in 1983, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 was obtained by using a threshold method. The results indicate that the mudflat wetland area decreased continuously from 1983 to 2020, with a reduction of 337.38 km2/10a. Among the total area, the natural wetland experienced a decline of 446.9 km2/10a, with the most drastic changes occurring between 2000 and 2010. In contrast, the area of the human-made wetland increased by 109.56 km2/10a. Over the 38 years, the tidal flat has undergone the most drastic reduction, with an average of 157.45 km2/10a. From 1983 to 2020, the intertidal zone area decreased, with a reduction of 429.02 km2/10a. Human activities were the key factors causing mudflat wetland loss. Based on these findings, we propose several policy suggestions. This study provides a scientific basis for understanding the synergetic evolution mechanism of coastal resources utilization and mudflat wetland protection under global change.

Real Options Analysis of Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions to Wastewater Treatment Under Multiple Uncertainties: A Case Study in the Philippines

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are man-made ecosystems that mimic the properties of natural wetlands. They are being utilized to treat various types of wastewater, from domestic to agricultural, municipal, commercial, and industrial effluents. Despite their economic viability and environmental benefits, their widespread adoption is challenged with several uncertainties, including public support, technology learning, and the impacts of climate change. This study proposes a valuation framework that considers these uncertainties to analyze the feasibility of CWs. Using existing CWs in the Philippines as a case, this study employs the real options approach to (1) evaluate the feasibility of CW projects using cost–benefit analysis, (2) calculate the value of postponing decisions to implement CWs projects using real options analysis, and (3) identify the optimal investment decisions for CWs considering the opportunity costs of waiting and uncertainties in public support and the impacts of climate change. Results found that the project is feasible with a net present value of USD 88,968. Yet, the real options value at USD 208,865 indicates that postponing the project may be a more optimal decision. Considering the cost of waiting, the valuation identified the threshold at 5.56% to immediately implement the project. The calculated values increase with uncertainty in public support but decrease with uncertainty in climate change’s impacts. Yet, these uncertainties prolong the decision to implement CW projects until they are resolved. The findings from this case study provide a basis for recommendations to support the adoption of CWs as nature-based water treatment for a more sustainable future.

Lacustrine Wetlands Landscape Simulation and Multi-Scenario Prediction Based on the Patch-Generating Land-Use Simulation Model: A Case Study on Shengjin Lake Reserve, China

Landscape simulation and prediction are crucial for understanding the dynamic evolution and future trends of wetlands. However, only a few existing studies have focused on the applicability and limitations of commonly used land-use/cover change (LUCC) simulation models in lake wetland landscapes. Taking Shengjin Lake Reserve in China as the study area, we firstly analyzed landscape variations during 2010–2020 using multisource remote sensing images. Then, the patch-generating land-use simulation (PLUS) model was employed to simulate wetland landscapes in 2020, the accuracy and limitation of which in simulating lacustrine wetlands were also explored. Lastly, the changing trends of wetland landscapes in 2030 under different development scenarios were predicted. The results show that the landscape of Shengjin Lake Reserve has changed significantly during 2010–2020, with increases in mudflats, reservoirs/ponds, woodlands, and built-up land, and there has been decreases in lakes, grass beaches, and croplands. The PLUS model demonstrated an ideal simulation accuracy for Shengjin Lake Reserve, with the overall accuracy exceeding 80%, kappa coefficient greater than 0.75, and figure of merit (FOM) coefficient of 0.35, indicating that the model can capture the dynamic changes in wetland landscapes accurately. The simulation accuracy can be effectively improved with the adjacent initial year, shorter time interval, and the primary driver factors. Under the natural development scenario, the number of patches in the Shengjin Lake Reserve increased sharply, and landscape fragmentation intensified. Under the urban development scenario, the expansion of built-up land increased, and the average patch area increased. In the ecological protection scenario, the Shannon diversity index and Shannon evenness index of the landscape improved significantly, and the natural wetlands such as grass beaches and lakes can be protected effectively. Our study confirms the applicability of the PLUS model in simulating and predicting lacustrine wetlands landscapes, and the conclusions provide a scientific basis for formulating reasonable development strategies to realize wetland resource conservation and management.

Nutrients, isolation and lack of grazing limit plant diversity in restored wetlands

Abstract Agricultural intensification has led to the loss of most natural wetlands from human‐dominated landscapes but, in recent decades, wetland restoration has gained traction worldwide. Restoration of suitable habitat conditions is hampered by nutrient residues from decades of high‐input farming, by continued input of nutrients from surrounding farmland and by incomplete restoration of natural hydrology. We assessed the effect of wetland restoration and disturbance (grazing) on vascular plant and bryophyte diversity in restored wetlands in Denmark at plot and landscape scales. Compared to near‐natural wetlands, we found a lower species richness and community uniqueness in restored wetlands, but we also found that grazing had a positive effect on vascular plant richness in restored wetlands. The size of the local species pool, presence of near‐natural habitat prior to restoration and near‐natural restored hydrology all had positive effects on plant diversity, whereas high soil iron and nitrogen had negative effects. Synthesis and applications: Restoration of plant diversity in wetlands is challenging, but our results point to potential remedies: plan restoration areas near colonisation sources of the target biota, restore hydrology to near‐natural conditions, discontinue nutrient loads from surrounding arable land and restore near‐natural grazing regimes. Bryophytes may be particularly useful as indicators for successful restoration of wetlands.

Hormesis and Antagonism in Low-Dose Phalaris Allelochemicals during Microcystis Control

Aquatic ecosystems face significant challenges globally from cyanobacterial blooms. Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass) is used in artificial wetlands and found in natural wetlands. We investigated whether allelochemicals released from Phalaris root exudates inhibit Microcystis aeruginosa growth. We conducted experiments to disentangle the effect of the root exudates from living plants on resource competition and the potential role of microbiota in controlling Microcystis growth. We found that allelochemicals from root exudates and their inhibitory effect decayed over time. Results from filtration experiments and microscopic observations indicated that the removal of microorganisms (≥ 0.22 µm) allowed for the growth of Microcystis, suggesting that protists and rotifers may control Microcystis growth. We also tested commercial allelochemicals at environmentally relevant concentrations (≤ 1000 µg Lˉ¹) against Microcystis. Concentrations of 1000 µg Lˉ¹ of anthraquinone, gallic acid, gramine, hordenine, linoleic acid, naringuin, stigmasterol, tannic acid, 4-nitroindol-5-carboxaldehyde and the mixture of the nine allelochemicals inhibit Microcystis (≥ 87%). The minimum effective concentration was determined to be 100 µg Lˉ¹ for most allelochemicals, except for anthraquinone, which had a hormetic effect stimulating Microcystis growth by up to 70% compared to the controls. Our findings indicate that allelochemicals could be used to control Microcystis, but it is essential to establish the effective allelochemical minimum inhibitory concentrations from biofilters, wetlands, or macrophytes to assess their potential for managing Microcystis, other cyanobacteria, and microalgae. The increasing global use of artificial wetlands to control cyanobacterial blooms justifies further investigation into allelochemical concentrations, including decaying trends over time and hormetic effects.

Significant negative impact of human activities on carbon storage in the Yellow River Delta over the past three decades

With the increasing intensification of human activities, significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have posed a severe threat to the carbon storage capacity of wetland ecosystems. A deep understanding of this impact is crucial for protecting regional ecosystems and promoting sustainable development. This study utilized the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the human activity intensity (HAI) index to conduct detailed grid analysis and global analysis of carbon storage through creating fishnet system and explored the complex relationship between carbon storage and HAI in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China. The results indicated that over the past 30 years, natural wetlands such as meadow wetlands and salt marshes in the study area had undergone significant degradation due to escalating human activities, while artificial wetlands and non-wetland areas expanded. Concurrently, the total regional carbon storage had declined by 2.08 Tg, representing a significant drop of 8.22 % in the YRD from 1990 to 2020. Among them, dry land, as the primary land type, served as the most crucial carbon pool. Additionally, the human activity intensity of land surface (HAILS) increased significantly, with a growth rate of 37.27 %. HAI mapping revealed a continuous expansion of areas with high HAI. In contrast, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve (YRDNNR) maintained relatively low HAI. Correlation analysis further showed the significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between carbon storage and HAI, with r values of grid analysis ranging from −0.1395 to −0.0344, while that for global analysis was −0.9643, respectively. This reflected the spatial heterogeneity and agglomeration effects of data analysis across different scales. This study provides valuable insights for achieving the “dual carbon” goals and supporting the conservation and management of wetland ecosystems.

Stopover habitat use of coastal Pied Avocet revealed by satellite tracking and remote sensing technology

Stopover sites identification for migratory waterbirds is important in China’s coastal wetlands, which have experienced a massive loss of natural wetlands in recent decades. Taking the Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), a common waterbird in China’s coastal zone as an example, our research focused on their stopover habitat use based on satellite tracking and remote sensing technology. Along the coast, a total of 6 critical stopover sites, duration of stay more than 14 days, were recognized during their 2022–2023 autumn and spring migrations of the 4 tagged individuals. The results showed that Pied Avocets used habitats close to the coastline and water source, at low elevation, and with sparse vegetation. They also had a certain tolerance for human interference. From the perspective of the land use and land cover type, the proportion (33.01 %) of artificial wetlands including paddy, salt pan, and mariculture has exceeded that (27.97 %) of natural wetlands such as bottomland, tidal flat, estuarine waters, and shallow water in the home ranges of the 6 stopover areas. The study emphasized that the habitat function of artificial wetland should be paid enough attention to while maintaining the natural wetland without further loss. In addition, habitat-oriented management suggestions were put forward for artificial wetlands. This study can provide data and technical support for the conservation and management of waterbirds stopovers, also having reference value for other species.

Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones

Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) is an invasive species that displaces native wetland flora in the USA. The detection and manual release of biological control agents for L. salicaria is challenging because L. salicaria inhabits many inaccessible areas. This study was conducted to develop aerial systems for the detection of L. salicaria and the release of its natural enemy, Galerucella calmariensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We determined the optimal sensors and flight height for the aerial detection of L. salicaria and designed an aerial deployment method for G. calmariensis. Drone-based aerial surveys were conducted at various flight heights utilizing RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors. We also developed an insect container (i.e., bug ball) for the aerial deployment of G. calmariensis. Our findings indicated that L. salicaria flowers were detectable with an RGB sensor at flight heights ≤ 15 m above the canopy. The post-release mortality and feeding efficiency of G. calmariensis did not significantly differ from the control group (non-aerial release), indicating the feasibility of the targeted release of G. calmariensis. This innovative study establishes a critical foundation for the future development of sophisticated aerial systems designed for the automated detection of invasive plants and the precise release of biological control agents, significantly advancing ecological management and conservation efforts.

Mapping Coastal Wetland Changes from 1985 to 2022 in the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts using Landsat Time Series and National Wetland Inventories

Mapping Coastal Wetland Changes from 1985 to 2022 in the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts using Landsat Time Series and National Wetland Inventories

Stochastic Processes Dominate the Assembly of Soil Bacterial Communities of Land Use Patterns in Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast China

To meet the demands of a growing population, natural wetlands are being converted to arable land, significantly impacting soil biodiversity. This study investigated the effects of land use changes on bacterial communities in wetland, arable land, and forest soils in the Lesser Khingan Mountains using Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were measured using standard methods, while microbial diversity was assessed through sequencing analysis. Our findings revealed that forest soils had significantly higher levels of total potassium (2.62 g·kg−1), electrical conductivity (8.22 mS·cm−1), urease (0.18 mg·g−1·d−1), and nitrate reductase (0.13 mg·g−1·d−1), attributed to rich organic matter and active microbial communities. Conversely, arable soils showed lower total potassium (1.94 g·kg−1), reduced electrical conductivity, and suppressed enzyme activities due to frequent tilling and fertilization. Wetland soils exhibited the lowest values primarily due to water saturation, which limits organic matter decomposition and microbial activity. Land use changes notably reduced microbial diversity, with conversion from forest to arable land leading to habitat loss. Forest soils supported higher abundances of Proteobacteria (37.59%) and Actinobacteriota (34.73%), while arable soils favored nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Wetlands were characterized by chemoheterotrophic and anaerobic bacteria. Overall, these findings underscore the profound influence of land use on soil microbial communities and their functional roles, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices.

Estimating wetland CH4 emissions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau based on a processed model coupled with inundation dynamics between 1960 and 2100

Quantifying the impacts of climate change and wetland area dynamics on methane (CH4) emissions in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is crucial for enhancing our understanding of regional and global CH4 budgets. However, a major source of uncertainty in estimating wetland methane emissions stems from the limited delineation of wetland area dynamics. In this study, we integrated dynamic wetland inundation schemes into a process-based model to quantify the contributions of wetland area variations to natural wetland CH4 emissions on the QTP, both historically and in the future. The results revealed that climate change significantly influenced the spatiotemporal distribution of wetland CH4 emissions, with wetland inundation dynamics contributing between 21.84 % and 27.18 % of the increase in CH4 emissions from 1960 to 2020. Under future climate change scenarios, wetland CH4 emissions are projected to exhibit a more pronounced increasing trend, with wetland inundation dynamics projected to contribute 18.94 % to 21.80 % of the increase in CH4 emissions in the QTP under seven Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios.

Research on Landscape Design of Wetland Parks from an Ecological Perspective

Urban wetland parks represent a unique ecosystem within cities, possessing significant environmental regulation and social service functions. This paper takes Wuhan East Lake National Wetland Park as its research subject. Through an investigation of the current status of East Lake National Wetland Park, and in conjunction with relevant theories on wetland park landscape construction, it analyzes the landscape construction strategies of Wuhan East Lake National Wetland Park from an ecological perspective.

Accelerated Indirect Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants at the Soil-Water Interface.

Indirect photolysis driven by photochemically produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs) is pivotal for the transformations and fates of pollutants in nature. While well-studied in bulk water, indirect photolysis processes at environmental interfaces remain largely unexplored. This study reveals a significant acceleration of indirect photodegradation of organic pollutants at the soil-water interface of wetlands. Organic pollutants experienced ubiquitously enhanced indirect photodegradation at the soil-water interfaces, with rates 1.41 ± 0.01 to 4.27 ± 0.03-fold higher than those in bulk water. This enhancement was observed across various natural and artificial wetlands, including coastal wetlands and rice paddies. In situ mapping indicated that soil-water interfaces act as hotspots, concentrating both organic pollutants and PPRIs by 9.30- and 4.27-folds, respectively. This synchronized colocation is the primary cause of the accelerated pollutant photolysis. Additionally, the contribution of each PPRI species to pollutant photolysis and a coupled transformation pathway at the soil-water interface significantly differed from those in bulk water. For instance, the contribution of singlet oxygen to metoxuron photolysis increased from 10.1% in bulk water to 44.4% at the soil-water interface. Our study highlights the rapid indirect photolysis of organic pollutants at the soil-water interfaces, offering new insights into the natural purification processes in wetlands as "Earth's kidneys."

Low-carbon transition or low-carbon trap? — An instrumental variable regression analysis based on carbon decoupling and energy equity

ABSTRACT Although the low-carbon transition has enormous potential for improving economic and environmental benefits, it may also lead to social equity issues, trapping certain regions in a low-carbon dilemma. Based on panel data from the Yangtze River Economic Belt for the period 2007–2019, this study empirically analyzes the impact of carbon decoupling on energy equity, employing the carbon emission trading policy and natural wetlands as joint instrumental variables. The findings reveal that: (1) from 2007 to 2019, the average level of carbon decoupling in the Yangtze River Economic Belt was recorded at 0.415, maintaining a weak decoupling state overall and nearly forming an “inverted V” shape; (2) in the instrumental variable regression results, for every 1% increase in the level of carbon decoupling, the energy equity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt decreased by an average of 0.095% (p < .01); (3) environmental burden played a partial mediating role between carbon decoupling and energy equity, with the mediation effect value being −0.007 (p < .05); (4) green energy consumption and marketization can variably mitigate the adverse effects of carbon decoupling. Examining the sustainability of the economic-environmental system from the perspective of energy equity contributes to shaping a low-carbon economy that maintains social justice and sustainability, thereby avoiding falling into a low-carbon trap.

The effect of leaf leachates addition on denitrification in subsurface flow constructed wetlands is shaped by the bed substrate type

In constructed wetlands (CWs), bed substrate and leaf leachates from vegetation may correct the low C/N ratio that constrains heterotrophic denitrification and nitrate removal from irrigated agricultural drainage water. However, the interactive effects of bed substrate type and leaf leachates on denitrification are still unknown. By focusing on a CWs pilot plant, we designed a laboratory experiment to evaluate i) wether denitrification potential rates varied among bed substrates: calcareous gravel (a conventional substrate), gravel+soil from a natural wetland (silty loam Solonchak, 1.5 % of organic C) and gravel+biochar from pyrolyzed ornamental plants (75 % of organic C); and ii) the response of denitrification within each bed substrate to the addition of their respective leaf leachates. We found that denitrification potential rates were lower in gravel beds (0.011 ± 0.006 μgN2O-N gDM−1 h−1) than those observed with the addition of biochar (0.06 ± 0.03) and especially soil (0.78 ± 0.04), with soil being the most advantageous option. Besides, leaf leachates addition boosted denitrification rates in all cases. Nevertheless, the effect of leachates was relatively higher in gravel beds than in the other substrates (15 times higher vs. 2 and 4 times with soil and biochar, respectively). Our outcomes highlight limited denitrification when using gravel substrate not only by low C but also due to essential macro- and micro-elements, and support the role of plant leaves as internal and self-sustainable source of nutrients.

Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data for Wetland Information Extraction: A Case Study of the Nanweng River National Wetland Reserve

Wetlands play a vital role in regulating the global carbon cycle, providing biodiversity, and reducing flood risks. These functions maintain ecological balance and ensure human well-being. Timely, accurate monitoring of wetlands is essential, not only for conservation efforts, but also for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we combined Sentinel-1/2 images, terrain data, and field observation data collected in 2020 to better understand wetland distribution. A total of 22 feature variables were extracted from multi-source data, including spectral bands, spectral indices (especially red edge indices), terrain features, and radar features. To avoid high correlations between variables and reduce data redundancy, we selected a subset of features based on recursive feature elimination (RFE) and Pearson correlation analysis methods. We adopted the random forest (RF) method to construct six wetland delineation schemes and incorporated multiple types of characteristic variables. These variables were based on remote sensing image pixels and objects. Combining red-edge features, terrain data, and radar data significantly improved the accuracy of land cover information extracted in low-mountain and hilly areas. Moreover, the accuracy of object-oriented schemes surpassed that of pixel-level methods when applied to wetland classification. Among the three pixel-based schemes, the addition of terrain and radar data increased the overall classification accuracy by 7.26%. In the object-based schemes, the inclusion of radar and terrain data improved classification accuracy by 4.34%. The object-based classification method achieved the best results for swamps, water bodies, and built-up land, with relative accuracies of 96.00%, 90.91%, and 96.67%, respectively. Even higher accuracies were observed in the pixel-based schemes for marshes, forests, and bare land, with relative accuracies of 98.67%, 97.53%, and 80.00%, respectively. This study’s methodology can provide valuable reference information for wetland data extraction research and can be applied to a wide range of future research studies.

Gain and loss: reflection on the rapid development of National Wetland Parks in China

Context National Wetland Parks (NWPs) are a unique form of protected areas in China that have experienced a rapid increase in number from zero to more than 900 over the past two decades. Aims We examine the underlying causes of the boom in NWPs and assess their far-reaching ecological and socio-economic impacts. Methods Utilising GIS information and vector maps, we analysed the spatial distribution of pilot and approved NWPs from 2005 to 2019. Document analysis was employed to explore resource-orientated and legal drivers that have prompted the growth of NWPs. Key results China’s NWPs developed in three phases, namely, the exploration phase (2005–2007), the expansion phase (2008–2014) and the normalisation phase (2015–present). The demand for outdoor recreation and improved wetland legislation were the primary facilitators for the growth of NWPs. Conclusions The expansion of NWPs is an important contributor to nature conservation and ecological civilisation, yielding a range of ecological, economic and social benefits. Implications China’s experiences in NWPs offers valuable lessons and implications for global nature conservation. Implementing a long-term management mechanism for NWPs is recommended to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Potential Effect of Mangrove Ecosystem on Soil Carbon Sequestration and its Physico-Chemical Properties

The mangrove ecosystem is a natural wetland located in the Red Sea that extends 500 km on the Egyptian western coast. It has great potential to sequestrate soil organic carbon, reduce atmospheric CO2, and enhance soil hydro-physical properties. In this context, this research aims to characterise soil changes induced by mangrove growing. Both modelling and measurements herein were performed on five sampling areas at the Western Strand of the Red Sea (plus one control site - beach without plants). The locations (sites 1 and 2) of mangrove forest were in El-Gouna village with ages of 10 and 5 years, respectively, while (sites 3, 4, and 5) represent mangroves at Hurghada, Abu-Monquar Island, and Safaga, respectively. The mean values of measured soil organic carbon pool (SOCP) at the soil surface (0-90cm) revealed that the lowest values of the SOCP were at Hurghada with 8.81± 0.12 Mgha-1 and the highest values at Abu Monquar island with 59.75 ± 0.15 Mgha-1. At El Gouna 1, 2 and Safaga, the SOCP values were 14.48, 12.86, and 39.98 Mgha-1, respectively. In addition, the SOCP at the control site (beach without plants) was 6.62± 0.25 Mgha-1. Thus, the mangrove ecosystem has a great potential to sequestrate the soil's organic carbon and reduce atmospheric CO2. Soil bulk density (SBD) values varied at El-Gouna1, 2, and Hurghada from 1.63 to 1.75 g/cm³, while the lowest SBD values were observed at Abu-Monquar Island and Safaga with 1.31± 0.02, g/cm³ and 1.53 ± 0.05 g/cm³, respectively. SBD at the control site was 1.75± 0.05 g/cm³, which reflects the higher values. Morphological characteristics reveal that tree height results varied from 110-130 cm, 50-70 cm, 150-200 cm, 200-300 cm, and 200-270 cm for ElGouna1, ElGouna2, Hurghada, Abu-Manqar, and Safaga, respectively. Higher values of tree height, size index, and density are convenient, as are the lower values of SBD at Abu-Monquar and Safaga compared to other site locations. The soil-water HYDRUS-1D model revealed that the soil water storage capacity at Abu-Monquar was higher than the other samples. Thus, the joint use of modelling and measurements enabled deeper insight and a suitable characterisation of soil physicochemical changes induced by mangrove growth.