Soil Health and Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests: A Global Overview

Author(s)

Mello, Fellipe A. O. ; Ferreira, Tiago O. ; Bernardino, Angelo F. ; Queiroz, Hermano M. ; Mello, Danilo C. ; Menillo, Rafael B. ; Cherubin, Mauricio R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WATER; v. 16, n. 24, p. 17-pg., 2024-12-01.

Abstract

This study analyzed the role of soil health (SH) and ecosystem services (ESs) in global mangrove research articles from 1958 to 2024. The SH approach is vital for evaluating mangroves' ability to provide ES. However, most studies made no reference to these topics, an important gap that must be addressed. We performed a systematic literature review of the Scopus database using the following prompts: Level 1: "mangrove*" and "soil" or "sediment"; Level 2: "mangrove*" and "soil health" or "soil quality"; and Level 3: "mangrove*" and "soil health" or "soil quality" and "ecosystem service*" or "ecologic* service*". A total of 8289 scientific articles were published that explored mangrove soils or sediments, of which 321 included a discussion of SH, and 39 discussed SH and ES. There is a historical preference for the term "sediment" in marine sciences. Carbon is the most studied topic. Six of the fifteen most productive countries are also among the fifteen with the largest mangrove areas. There is a scientific gap regarding studies that link mangrove soil studies with SH and ES. We recommend the development of a soil health index fully adapted to mangroves, considering their physical and geochemical dynamics, climate conditions, and anthropic relevance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON)
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program