Two Decades of CARICOMP Mangrove Monitoring (1992–2013) Reveal Variability in Tree Structure and Productivity of Rhizophora mangle Across the Wider Caribbean

The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) program was conceptualized in 1985 to monitor coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests at multiple sites across the wider Caribbean. Mangrove monitoring was focused on the dominant Caribbean species, red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). Forest structure and productivity were monitored at 21 sites (18 countries) across different geomorphological settings, from tropical to subtropical mainland and island systems. Here, we provide the key findings from the CARICOMP mangrove data collected, mostly from 1992 to 2013, to assess spatial and temporal variability across the region. Red mangrove above-ground biomass averaged 190 t ha−1 (far higher than previously reported) but ranged widely across sites from 33 to 590 t ha−1, equating to an average above-ground ‘blue carbon’ of 84 t ha−1 (range 15–260 t ha−1). Tree density averaged 3237 trees ha−1, tree basal area averaged 19.7 m2 ha−1, tree height averaged 6.1 ± 2.8 m, and seedling density varied from 1.2 to 74 seedlings m−2 across the sites. Among the environmental factors that influence mangroves, local temperature and rainfall explained 48% of the variability in measured tree structure parameters. Annual litterfall, as a proxy for productivity, measured on average 1.24 ± 0.70 kg m−2 yr−1, with 60% of the total litterfall composed of leaves. Litterfall varied seasonally by 42%. No relationship was apparent between litterfall and seasonal ocean–atmosphere climate indices (ONI and AMM). With exception of the three most southwesterly CARICOMP sites, hurricanes and tropical storms impacted the mangrove sites repeatedly, resulting in considerable damage. A direct strike by a category-4 hurricane in 1998 in Dominican Republic killed 67% of the red mangrove trees, lowered above-ground biomass by 91%, basal area by 89%, litterfall by 63%, and resulted in the subsequent growth of many tall and thin saplings, totally changing the structure of the forest ecosystem in the first few years after the hurricane. In comparing mangrove systems, major differences may be explained by time elapsed since the last destructive event (hurricane) affecting each site. This highlights the fact that despite an increasing focus on preserving these valuable ecosystems, they are still highly vulnerable to natural hazards and likely to face a poor outcome under ongoing climate change.