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Mangrove Ecosystem Dynamics

  • 1st Edition - May 5, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Author: Daniel M Alongi
  • Language: English

Mangrove Ecosystem Dynamics presents a comprehensive account of the various functions of mangrove habitats, from spatial dynamics of intertidal ecosystems to nutrient and biogeoche… Read more

Description

Mangrove Ecosystem Dynamics presents a comprehensive account of the various functions of mangrove habitats, from spatial dynamics of intertidal ecosystems to nutrient and biogeochemical cycling in sediments, tidal and coastal waters, and dependent species. This process-oriented approach is necessary to further understand the role of these dynamic habitats in the coastal ocean, and as a next step towards developing adequate strategies for mangrove conservation, management, and sustainable use.

Written by a leading expert in mangrove biology and tropical marine ecology, this book takes an energetics approach to summarize the latest developments and knowledge in the field of mangrove ecology. Initial chapters discuss the fundamentals of intertidal environments and the spatial and temporal dynamics of mangrove habitats. Latter chapters address recent advances in food web energetics in tidal waters, exploring benthic invertebrate, planktonic, fish, and arboreal food webs. Final sections detail decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration.

Mangrove Ecosystem Dynamics addresses rapidly emerging and vital issues of climate change, blue carbon, sustainable management and restoration, and the connectivity and interdependence between mangroves and other coastal habitats and species. This new work offers a comprehensive functional view of the current and future state of mangrove ecosystems that will greatly benefit coastal and marine biologists, resource managers, conservationists, and students alike.

Key features

  • Takes an ecosystem functional approach to mangrove ecology
  • Explores food web dynamics of species reliant on mangrove habitats, including micro- and macro-algae, benthic macroinvertebrates, plankton, fish, and canopy species
  • Examines mangrove physiology, reproduction, growth, and habitat development over space and time
  • Summarizes biogeochemical cycles of mangrove habitats
  • Covers emerging issues such as climate change, blue carbon, the role of mangroves in the blue economy, and the application of ecosystem dynamics in restoration and rehabilitation

Readership

Coastal and marine biologists; ecosystem biologists; environmental managers; mangrove specialists; blue carbon specialists; conservationists. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students

Table of contents

Part I: Introduction

1. The world of mangroves

2. The intertidal environment

Part II: Forests in Space and Time

3. Early forest development

4. Succession and disturbance

5. Seascape dynamics

Part III: Energetics of Trees and Canopies

6. Tree Physiology

7. Primary production

Part IV: Trophic Ecology and Energy Flow

8. Planktonic food webs and fisheries

9. Higher consumers: amphibians to megafauna

10. Arboreal food webs

11. Benthic food webs​​​​​​​

Part V: Decomposition and Nutrient Processes

12. Decomposition of organic matter

13. Nutrient cycling and plant nutrition

Part VI: Ecosystem Biogeochemistry

14. Material fluxes

15. Carbon and whole-ecosystem dynamics

16. Synthesis

Index

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: May 5, 2026
  • Language: English

About the author

Daniel M Alongi

Author
Dr. Daniel M. Alongi is Lead Consultant at Tropical Coastal & Mangrove Consultants. He obtained his M.A. in Marine Science at the College of William & Mary, VA, and his Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Georgia, GA. His research focuses on mangrove biology and biogeochemistry; anthropogenic impacts to coastal ecosystems; energetics and community structure of coastal food webs; and ecology of tropical coastal and marine ecosystems. Dr. Alongi brings more than 35 years of expertise to this work, including prior publications such as Coastal Ecosystem Processes (CRC, 1997), The Energetics of Mangrove Forests (2009), Mangroves of the South China Sea (Nova, 2011), Blue Carbon: Coastal Sequestration for Climate Change Mitigation (Springer, 2018), and Tropical Marine Ecology (Wiley, 2021).
Affiliations and expertise
Lead Consultant, Tropical Coastal & Mangrove Consultants, Pakenham, Victoria, Australia

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