Coastal tidal flats play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, yet the spatial patterns

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future work and abstract and stated challenges and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 6 journals. Those papers have been cited 2 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 6 representative gaps

• Seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic matter along an intertidal gradient in semi-arid mangrove soils (New Caledonia) (2026) · Biogeosciences · doi

  By examining DOC, CDOM, and FDOM across the three intertidal habitats studied (salt-flat, Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora stylosa), this study provides new insights into carbon cycling in mangrove ecosystems developing in semi- arid climate. We measured significant spatial (land-sea gra- dient) and seasonal (wet and dry season) variations in DOM quality and quantity. R. stylosa stands, located at the sea- ward fringe, had the highest and most stable DOM concen- trations throughout the year, likely due to regular OM in- puts from litterfall and root exudates, combined with regu- lar tidal immersion inducing constant leaching. In contrast, the salt-flat exhibited the lowest DOM concentrations and the greatest seasonal fluctuations, highlighting their sensi- tivity to allochthonous inputs and exposure to sunlight. A. marina stands presented intermediate characteristics, with fresher and more labile OM, specifically during the wet sea- son. Seasonal variability had a different influence depending on habitat. In the salt-flat, the absence of vegetation led to pro- nounced changes in DOM concentration and quality. In A. marina, lower salinity during the wet season may stimulate productivity and microbial transformation of the DOM, as evidenced by a reduction in SUVA and an increase in BIX. Concerning the R. stylosa stand, characterized by continu- https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-5847-2026 Biogeosciences, 23, 5847–5877, 2026 5862 N. Mouras et al.: Seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic matter ous tidal submersion, only a few seasonal changes were ob- served. However, tidal fluctuations in this stand are a ma- jor cause for continuous Fe reduction-oxidation cycles, and adsorption of humic-like DOM onto iron-bearing mineral phases is suspected, which may explain lower FDOM con- centrations than in A. marina soils. The spatial distribution of FDOM components revealed distinct trends: C1 (terrestrial or highly degraded) declined from land to sea, while C2 (mangrove-derived) decreased landward, suggesting bidirectional OM distribution along the intertidal gradient. These patterns point to tidal-driven lateral transport as a key mechanism driving DOM dynamics, reg- ulated by vegetation structure and soil properties. However, the relative importance of lateral transport compared to local production and degradation remains to be fully quantified. Future studies should aim to quantify these fluxes and ex- plore molecular markers (e.g., lignin phenols) to trace OM sources more precisely. Understanding how hydrology, veg- etation, and seasonality interact to regulate OM export is es- sential for improving carbon budget assessments and conser- vation strategies for these blue carbon ecosystems.

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: seasonal marina tidal fdom salt stylosa carbon intertidal mangrove ecosystems spatial land season quality stands
• Soil carbon sequestration in mangrove restoration: the role of flooding duration and stand type (2026) · Journal Of Plant Ecology · doi

  Abstract Flooding duration and vegetation structure are key regulators of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in mangrove ecosystems, yet their interactive effects and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: abstract flooding duration vegetation structure regulators soil organic carbon dynamics mangrove ecosystems interactive effects underlying
• Technological solutions for saline soil environment restoration in aquaculture ponds in Dong Chau Commune, Hung Yen Province (2026) · Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology · doi

  The persistent issue of deep water levels preventing tidal exposure necessary for mangrove regeneration. The need for effective solutions for restoring degraded saline soil environments. The challenge of creating suitable physical conditions for mangrove restoration.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: persistent issue deep water levels preventing tidal exposure
• Effects of shrimp aquaculture on mangrove soil carbon stocks and sustained-flux global warming potentials (2026) · Frontiers in Environmental Science · cited 1× · doi

  Uncertainty in the magnitude of carbon loss due to environmental factors, land use, study type, and aquacultural practices - Limited understanding of the impact of aquaculture on mangrove ecosystems - Need for better constraints on carbon loss pathways and SGWP

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: uncertainty magnitude carbon loss due environmental factors land
• Spatial variability and drivers of soil organic carbon burial in the tidal flats of the Yellow River Delta (2026) · CATENA · cited 1× · doi

  Coastal tidal flats play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, yet the spatial patterns and controlling mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) burial within estuarine wetlands remain poorly understood.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: carbon coastal tidal flats play critical role global cycle spatial patterns controlling mechanisms soil organic
• Climate-driven soil acidification and salinity shape xylem architecture in the mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum (2026) · Plant Physiology and Biochemistry · doi

  Mangrove xylem development is shaped by multiple interacting environmental drivers, yet it remains unclear whether vessel traits primarily follow a salinity-dominated pattern or a more integrated climatic-edaphic framework.

  generalabstractevidence 2/5
  Keywords: mangrove xylem development shaped multiple interacting environmental drivers remains unclear whether vessel traits primarily follow

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