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Preprint
Distribution and environmental drivers of multi-functional community traits in the Sundarbans mangrove forest
bioRxiv , Vol.21 July 2025
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
2025
Abstract
Mangrove forests are vital blue-carbon ecosystems, playing a crucial role in global carbon storage, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation. However, escalating environmental threats, particularly salinity intrusion, necessitate a deeper understanding of their functional dynamics to inform effective conservation and restoration strategies. This study examines the distribution of multi-functional community traits (MFCT) and their environmental drivers across mangrove functional groups (pioneer, mid-successional, climax) along salinity gradients in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. Using data from 62 plots, nine functional traits from 17 mangrove species were analysed to evaluate MFCT diversity and its environmental determinants. Results revealed distinct variations in MFCT diversity, with mid-successional species exhibiting the highest trait diversity (64.0 ± 1.58), followed by climax (51.3 ± 2.09) and pioneer groups (50.2 ± 2.26). Climax species demonstrated resilience to salinity increases (R² = 0.29, p < 0.001), whereas mid-successional and pioneer groups were negatively affected (R² = 0.22, p < 0.001 and R² = 0.17, p < 0.001). Annual precipitation exerted contrasting effects, reducing diversity in climax species (R² = 0.25, p < 0.001) but enhancing it in mid-successional (R² = 0.22, p < 0.001) and pioneer groups (R² = 0.06, p = 0.05). Notably, MFCT values remained stable across salinity gradients, underscoring the ecosystem’s functional resilience. These findings highlight mid-successional species as keystones in sustaining mangrove multifunctionality and resilience under environmental stressors. Prioritizing these species in conservation and restoration efforts can mitigate the impacts of salinity intrusion and climate variability. By integrating the MFCT framework, resource managers can develop targeted restoration strategies to enhance ecosystem functionality and long-term stability. These insights provide a critical foundation for policymakers to align global mangrove conservation with adaptive management strategies, reinforcing coastal resilience, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
Details
- Title
- Distribution and environmental drivers of multi-functional community traits in the Sundarbans mangrove forest
- Authors
- Tanjena Khatun - Université du Québec à MontréalMd Rezaul Karim (Corresponding Author) - University of TorontoMohammad A S Arfin-Khan - Shahjalal University of Science and TechnologyNabanita Karmaker - Shahjalal University of Science and TechnologyMd. Shamim Reza Saimun - Shahjalal University of Science and TechnologyMd Shydul Amin - Shahjalal University of Science and TechnologySanjeev Kumar Srivastava - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research ClusterSharif A Mukul - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentreFahmida Sultana - Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
- Publication details
- bioRxiv , Vol.21 July 2025
- Publisher
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1101/2025.07.15.664870
- ISSN
- 2692-8205
- Copyright note
- The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY 4.0 International license.
- Data Availability
- All data that support the findings of this study are included in the article.
- Grant note
- The authors would like to acknowledge the funding support received from the SUST Research Center (FES/2021/2/04, FES/2022/1/09, FES/2023/2/01, FES/2024/1/01). The British Ecological Society (UK; grant reference number: BES LRB20-1006), and the National Geographic Society (USA; grant reference number: NGS-78528R-22).
- Organisation Unit
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991146335902621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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