Morphological adaptations (plasticity) of mangrove trees to environmental stress and their consequences for local plant interactions and regeneration patterns in degraded mangrove ecosystems

全世界的红树林生态系统目前正以前所未有的速度丧失或退化。这对沿海和海洋生态系统的生物多样性构成重大威胁，危及数百万人的福祉。因此，红树林恢复越来越受到重视，但当种植树苗是主要手段时，往往失败。现在迫切需要为成功的恢复建立科学基础，包括更好地了解先锋树的适应性。以巴西北部的一个退化地区为例，我们将研究树木生长和形态对恶劣条件的适应。先前的研究表明，先驱者发展灌木形态，而随后的建立者发展为树木。我们将分析这些变化对当地植物相互作用的生态后果，包括促进作用，以及它们对林分水平再生的影响。将根据地上和地下生物量分配情况，研究红树林灌木和树木之间的局部相互作用的强度和重要性。树木和树苗的生长以及它们的形态将使用最近开发的计算机模型描述植物结构进行探索。从这些相互作用中出现的复杂的林分水平的影响将使用现有的individualbased模型进行模拟，并用于解释在自然界中观察到的再生模式。我们的研究将提高个体植物的形态适应，局部再生和生物多样性之间的联系的一般理解。

Mangrove ecosystems worldwide are currently lost or degraded at unprecedented rates. This imposes a major threat to biodiversity in coastal and marine ecosystems, jeopardizing the well-being of millions of people. Mangrove restoration thus receives increasing attention but often fails when planting saplings is the primary tool. There is an urgent need to develop the scientific basis for successful restoration, including a better understanding of the adaptability of pioneer trees. Using a degraded area in north Brazil as an example, we will examine adaptations in tree growth and morphology to harsh conditions. Previous studies revealed that pioneers develop shrub morphology, whereas subsequent establishers develop as trees. We will analyze the ecological consequences of these changes for local plant interactions, including facilitation, and their impact on stand-level regeneration. The intensity and importance of local interactions between mangrove shrubs and trees will be examined based on above- and below-ground biomass allocation. Growth of trees and saplings as well as their morphology will be explored using recently developed computer models describing plant architecture. Complex stand-level effects emerging from these interactions will be simulated using an existing individualbased model and used to explain regeneration patterns observed in nature. Our study will improve the general understanding of the link between morphological adaptations of individual plants, local regeneration, and biodiversity.