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#           Temperature thresholds for leaf damage from two extreme freeze events (2018 and 2021) near the northern range limit of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) in southeastern North America      

      September 25, 2023    

Extreme winter temperatures govern the northern range limit of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) in southeastern North America. There is a pressing need for studies that advance our understanding of how extreme cold temperature events affect mangroves near their range limits. However, such events are infrequent and challenging to study at regional scales. Here, we compared the damage to mangroves from extreme freeze events in 2018 and 2021, using local data from sites in USA (Florida, Louisiana, and Texas) and northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas). In 2018, mangrove damage was concentrated in Louisiana and the upper Texas coast, where minimum temperatures ranged from -4 °C to -7 °C. In 2021, damage from a more severe freeze event was concentrated along the central to northern coasts of Texas, where minimum temperatures ranged from -4 °C to -10 °C. We used regional temperature and vegetation data from these events to quantify temperature thresholds for A. germinans leaf damage. Our results indicate that A. germinans leaf damage is likely to occur when temperatures are between -4 °C and -6 °C. These findings help refine temperature thresholds for A. germinans leaf damage and advance understanding of the effects of extreme freeze events on mangrove range expansion. This information is valuable for anticipating future range dynamics in a warming world.

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#### Michael Johannes Osland, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

mosland@usgs.gov

337-262-7664

####             Laura C Feher (Former Employee)          

##### Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

#### Richard Day

##### Geographer

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

dayr@usgs.gov

337-593-5857

#### Gordon Anderson

##### Scientist Emeritus

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

gordon_anderson@usgs.gov

352-264-3487

#### Andrew From

##### Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

froma@usgs.gov

337-593-5834

#### Melinda Martinez, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

melindamartinez@usgs.gov

## Related Content

#### Michael Johannes Osland, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

mosland@usgs.gov

337-262-7664

####             Laura C Feher (Former Employee)          

##### Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

#### Richard Day

##### Geographer

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

dayr@usgs.gov

337-593-5857

#### Gordon Anderson

##### Scientist Emeritus

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

gordon_anderson@usgs.gov

352-264-3487

#### Andrew From

##### Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

froma@usgs.gov

337-593-5834

#### Melinda Martinez, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

melindamartinez@usgs.gov

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####               Wetland and Aquatic Research Center - Gainesville, FL          

7920 NW 71st St.Gainesville, FL32653United States

352-378-8181

352-378-4956

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