Interactions between mangrove soil, water, and microbes in degraded, natural, and restored tropical coastline ecosystems

ABSTRACT

The interactions among soil, water, and microbes are unique and fundamental in mangrove forests. We examined and compared the physicochemical parameters of soil (pH, Organic Carbon (OC), Electrical Conductivity (EC), N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and water (pH, temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), EC) as well as microbial diversity and abundance in nine natural, degraded, and restored mangrove ecosystems along Guyana’s coastline. Sampling was done using a randomized block design for one year in two seasons. Significant differences, correlations (p < 0.05, R > 0.75) and regressions in water and soil parameters were documented for the natural ecosystems and restored ecosystems in both seasons. Additionally, microbial abundance was greater in the restored ecosystems, while seasonal variations in diversity were seen in the degraded and restored ecosystems. Our study lends some credence to the idea that ecosystem type and seasonality can influence soil, water, and microbial interactions, which can ultimately affect mangrove biodiversity.

Key policy insights

• Mangroves fulfill significant functions in coastal protection by mitigating erosion, enhancing sediment accumulation, and actively combating the challenge of rising sea levels.

• Mangroves significantly enhance productivity within several biogeochemical cycles, hence fostering sustainable biodiversity and establishing advantageous linkages with adjacent forest ecosystems.

• The exceptional levels of resilience and adaptation exhibited by mangrove forests enable them to consistently deliver ecosystem goods and services, while concurrently serving as effective mitigating agents in the ongoing climate change crisis.

• Anthropogenic activities pose a significant threat to the viability and effectiveness of mangroves, resulting in the decline and deterioration of these ecosystems.

KEYWORDS:

• Mangroves
• ecosystem
• Guyana
• soil
• water
• microbes

Geolocation information

Study locations in Guyana (SA) with longitude and latitude GPS coordinates (Google Maps 2023):

Table

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the valuable support and assistance provided by the University of Guyana’s Department of Biology and the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI). Their guidance, provision of resources, and personnel were instrumental in the successful completion of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2023.2301283

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Company and the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI).

Notes on contributors

Sabrina Dookie

Sabrina Dookie is an ecologist and research scientist in mangrove ecological systems and coastal management. She holds a Master of Science degree (forest biology) and is currently a final-year doctoral candidate at the University of Guyana School of Graduate Studies (Faculty of Natural Sciences) pursuing a PhD in biodiversity. Her research interests include mangrove ecosystem dynamics, ecological landscapes, mangrove soil and water ecology, mangrove microbiology, and mangrove ecophysiology.

Sirpaul Jaikishun

Sirpaul Jaikishun is a senior lecturer and research scientist attached to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana. He holds a Master of Science degree (forest biology) and a PhD (botany) from the Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, China. He is a mentor and advisor to students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD research. He currently serves as the coordinator for the postgraduate course in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and chairs the review committee on the revision and introduction of new MSc courses. His research interests include vermitechnology, organic farming, earthworm taxonomy, environmental pollution, and plant genetics.

Abdullah Adil Ansari

Abdullah Adil Ansari is a professor and dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana. He holds a Master of Science degree in life sciences education from the Regional College of Education at Utkal University and a PhD in life science (zoology) from Madras University. Since 1998, he has published over 100 research articles and book chapters on several issues, including vermitechnology, soil biology and ecology, land reclamation, organic farming, organic solid waste management, earthworm taxonomy, soil microbiology, and environmental pollution. He teaches several courses in biology at the University of Guyana and is responsible for supervising research at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels.