2026/02/13 by Gloria M. S. Reithmaier, Ariel K. Pezner, Adam Ulfsbo +2 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · #Biodiversity #Climate change #Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics #Estuary #Global warming #Habitat #Hypoxia (environmental) #Isotope Analysis in Ecology #Mangrove #Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies #Tropics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2025gl119355
published in Geophysical Research Letters 53(4) (American Geophysical Union)
openalex publication_date 2026/02/13 · openalex created_date 2026/02/15 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract Mangroves host many marine species and support fisheries in developing (sub)tropical countries. The suitability of mangrove habitats depends strongly thier the water chemistry. Here, we show how global warming and rising atmospheric CO 2 will reduce dissolved oxygen and increase CO 2 in mangrove waters. Observations from 23 mangrove‐lined estuaries worldwide revealed that most sites already experience mild (34%–43% of the time) or severe (6%–32%) hypercapnic hypoxia, that is, high CO 2 and low oxygen conditions. Hypercapnic hypoxia mostly occurs during low tide, at low‐salinity sites, and in warm tropical regions. Climate change will decrease oxygen concentrations by 5%–35% and increase CO 2 concentrations by 8%–60% in mangrove waters by 2100. Overall, hypercapnic hypoxia events will occur more frequently, last longer, and become more severe. These shifts will reduce mangrove biodiversity and deteriorate habitat quality for commercially valuable fish. The strongest impact is expected in tropical developing countries.