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HKU GEOGRAPHY: Monthly Research Talks
The impacts of urbanization on mangroves
Date: 17 JAN 2025 (Friday)
Time: 15:00-15:15 (HKT)
(No registration required)
Abstract:
Mangroves are carbon-rich ecosystems in coastal regions. Coastal urbanization is a key driver of mangrove loss, yet its global impacts on mangroves have yet to be thoroughly understood. In this study, we present a fine-scale assessment of the hidden impacts of urbanization on mangroves mediated by climate, and the joint effects of urbanization and climate at the global scale. Both urbanization and climate had positive impacts on mangrove growth and carbon stock in some regions, which is different from the general belief of the adverse impacts from previous research. Moreover, mangroves in subtropical/temperate climate zones experienced more indirect positive impacts from urbanization, which enhances local climate conditions for growth by altering temperature, rainfall and sea levels. These findings suggest the feasibility of facilitating mangrove conservation through effective urban planning to achieve coastal sustainability.
Dr. Shan WEI
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Geography, HKU
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