A Review of the Impacts of Climate Change on Mangrove Ecosystems

Climate change components such as sea-level rise, high water events, changes in precipitation regime, temperature fluctuation and altered ocean circulation patterns, affect the health andfunctionally of mangrove ecosystems. Among these disturbances, the sea-level rise has been found to be the most significant threat to mangrove ecosystems. To date, the sea level rise represents the smaller threat than anthropogenic activities such as conversion for aquaculture and deforestation. The estimated annual economic value of mangrove forests is in the range of $200–$900 per hectare. The disappearance of mangroves could have devastating effects on ecosystems and impair the services that they provide. Consequently, the water quality decreases, breeding and nursery ground of fishes are destroyed and species diversity decline under land use changes. Mangrove destruction can also release large quantities of stored carbon in sediments and exacerbate global warming and other climate change trends.