Dispersão de propágulos de árvores de manguezal

Abstract

Mangroves are critical ecosystems for coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and protection against natural disasters. Natural regeneration critically depends on propagule dispersal, a process that connects populations and enables adaptive responses to environmental changes. This study reviews dispersal mechanisms, interspecific variations, and implications for mangrove structure, aiming to guide restoration strategies. The literature review (Web of Science, 63 publications) analyzed propagule dispersal mechanisms, their adaptive implications, and interspecific variations in the structuring of these ecosystems. The results highlight that dispersal occurs in three interdependent stages (emigration, transfer, and immigration), modulated by physical factors (currents, tides) and biological factors (propagule morphology, predation). Interspecific variations, such as viviparity, high fecundity, and propagule density, can explain some zonation patterns and resilience. The Tidal Sorting Hypothesis (TSH) was revised, with evidence that the specific gravity of propagules, not just size, determines their distribution. It is concluded that dispersal is vital for adaptation to climate change, requiring conservation policies that integrate hydrodynamic data and species functional traits.