Geomorphology and sedimentology of mangroves.

Abstract

Mangrove forests occur most extensively on low-energy, sedimentary shorelines of the tropics, generally between intertidal elevations. Their global extents are limited by the 20 degree C sea surface temperature isotherm; hence, coastal distributions in the subtropics are influenced by the origin of influencing oceanic currentsthus reaching higher latitudes on east coasts of continents relative to west. Within these temperature-controlled global ranges, the extent of mangrove habitats is mostly controlled by availability of suitable environmental settings, and biodiversity therein is mostly controlled by biogeographic history.