Cold water flow stops mangrove forest growth in South America – Nature – Travel

Swamp forests often grow only up to a certain latitude on the southeastern coast of South America. An intriguing phenomenon, but researchers at the University of Brussels in Brஜze, Ari Jimenez, along with researchers from the University of Libre de Bruxels and the Catholic de Louvain University have now discovered why this is so. Determines a surf current and temperature growth in winter.

In the climate debate, mangrove forests are very important because they can store a lot of carbon and purify the air. This tree and shrub species are found along the east-south American coast. About 75 kilometers south of the mangrove border, where the Brazilian river Ararangua flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the mangrove forests have suddenly disappeared. A strange phenomenon, because the environment is suitable for these plants.

Our results show that many factors together prevent mangrove species from spreading south. The biggest factor is the north-facing surf currents that dominate throughout the year. Another factor is temperature. Winters are often very cold and there are cold water backwaters in the spring and summer, which can affect the reliability of breeding buds, ‘explains VUB researcher Jimenez.

As mentioned, mangrove forests are important for monitoring the effects of climate change. For example, as global temperatures rise, the swamps’ range will expand.

Swamp forests often grow only up to a certain latitude on the southeastern coast of South America. An intriguing phenomenon, but researchers at the University of Brussels in Brஜze, Ari Jimenez, along with researchers from the University of Libre de Bruxels and the Catholic de Louvain University have now discovered why this is so. Determines a surf current and temperature growth in winter. In the climate debate, mangrove forests are very important because they can store a lot of carbon and purify the air. This tree and shrub species are found along the east-south American coast. About 75 kilometers south of the mangrove border, where the Brazilian river Ararangua flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the mangrove forests have suddenly disappeared. A strange phenomenon, because the environment is suitable for these plants. Our results show that many factors together prevent mangrove species from spreading south. The biggest factor is the north-facing surf currents that dominate throughout the year. Another factor is temperature. Winters are often very cold and there are cold water backwaters in the spring and summer, which can affect the reliability of breeding buds, ‘explains VUB researcher Jimenez. As mentioned, mangrove forests are important for monitoring the effects of climate change. For example, as global temperatures rise, the swamps’ range will expand.