Impact of Extreme Weather on Iron-Mediated Organo-Mineral Interactions in Mangrove Soils

• Grant number: 23/06841-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Osório Ferreira
• Grantee: Francisco Ruiz
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Mangroves are vital ecosystems known for their numerous ecological services but they have been increasingly threatened by climate change-induced extreme weather events, resulting in widespread forest loss. Understanding the impacts of these events on mangrove dynamics is thus crucial for effective conservation and restoration efforts. The loss of mangrove forests can significantly affect carbon stocks, as they are among the most carbon-rich forests globally. Soil organic matter (SOM) is a critical component of carbon storage in mangroves, yet the processes governing SOM stabilization remain poorly understood. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of iron (Fe)-mediated organo-minerals interactions in overall SOM content within mangrove soils. Nevertheless, the nature and stability of these associations and their response to extreme weather events remain largely unexplored. In this context, this research aims to conduct an in-depth investigation of Fe-SOM interactions as well as to explore the impacts of extreme weather on these interactions. The study will be conducted in a protected area in Southeast Brazil, where a severe drought followed by a hailstorm event caused significant forest mortality. Through the combination of wet-chemical extractions, thermal analyses, and spectroscopic techniques, this study will comprehensively examine the composition and stability of Fe-SOM associations in both undisturbed and affected mangrove ecosystems. By shedding light on these critical mechanisms, this research aims to contribute to a broader understanding on SOM stabilization mechanisms and how the biogeochemical processes in mangroves respond to climate change and extreme weather events. By gaining insights into these fundamental processes, the present research will provide valuable knowledge for effective mangrove conservation and management strategies. These findings will help inform decision-making processes and enhance the resilience of mangrove ecosystems in the face of climate change. Hopefully, this work will contribute to the long-term preservation of mangroves and their invaluable ecological services.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERREIRA, TIAGO O.; QUEIROZ, HERMANO M.; RUIZ, FRANCISCO; NOBREGA, GABRIEL N.; CHERUBIN, MAURICIO R.; DE SOUZA JUNIOR, VALDOMIRO S.; BARCELLOS, DIEGO; FERREIRA, AMANDA D.; OTERO, XOSE L.. How do soil processes control the provision of ecosystem services in coastal wetlands?. Environmental Research, v. 255, p. 13-pg., 2024-05-18. (21/00221-3, 19/14800-5, 19/02855-0, 23/06841-9, 19/19987-6)

RUIZ, FRANCISCO; BERNARDINO, ANGELO FRAGA; QUEIROZ, HERMANO MELO; OTERO, XOSE LUIS; RUMPEL, CORNELIA; FERREIRA, TIAGO OSORIO. Iron's role in soil organic carbon (de)stabilization in mangroves under land use change. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, v. 15, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2024-11-30. (21/10573-4, 20/15230-5, 23/06841-9)

AZEVEDO-LOPES, THAYANA; QUEIROZ, HERMANO MELO; RUIZ, FRANCISCO; ASENSIO, VERONICA; FERREIRA, AMANDA DUIM; CHERUBIN, MAURICIO ROBERTO; FERREIRA, TIAGO OSORIO. From waste to soil: Technosols made with construction and demolition waste as a nature-based solution for land reclamation. WASTE MANAGEMENT, v. 186, p. 13-pg., 2024-06-20. (19/14800-5, 23/06841-9, 21/00221-3, 19/18324-3)