Prof Horton and colleagues in Science: Sea level rise could drown coastal mangroves by 2050

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Mangroves at Pulau Ubin (Shutterstock_1535723879)

Mangroves reduce the impact of storms, support great biodiversity, and play and important role in sequestering carbon. However, sea level rise is a significant threat to mangroves that can cause mangroves to drown, putting an end to their growth. A new study published last week in Science by an international team of researchers including ASE Chair Prof Benjamin Horton use historical data to show that if the rate of sea level rise increases from the current 4 mm per year to 6 mm per year this is the likely scenario. At current rates, it could take only 30 years from today until this point is reached, causing a self-reinforcing snowball effect of increased release of carbon into the atmosphere, intensified climate change, loss of biodiversity and exposure of coastal communities to extreme weather events.

Media interviews with Prof Horton on the findings of the Science article:

Money FM: Protecting mangroves

Reuters: Drowned? Existing mangroves could fall to sea level rise by 2050

NTU News Hub: ​Mangroves at risk if carbon emissions not reduced by 2050, international scientists predict

Read the original article here: Thresholds of mangrove survival under rapid sea level rise