News Climate

Rapid sea level rise could drown protective mangrove forests by 2100

New research finds the limit of the tangled forests’ famous resilience

mangrove forest

Coastal mangrove forests are resilient, tolerating salt, powerful waves and even rising seas. But new research suggests that when sea levels rise too quickly, the mangroves can drown.

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By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Mangrove forests can only take so much. The famously resilient, salt-tolerant and twisty trees have so far managed to keep pace with rising sea levels, providing a valuable buffer to coastal communities against pounding storm surges.