Damage to mangroves from extreme cold in early 2008 in southern China

Aims Unusually low temperatures associated with heavy rain,snow and frost occurred in 19 provinces in southern China in January–February 2008. Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of the cold weather event on mangroves and to compare differences in cold tolerance between exotic and native mangrove species. Methods In March 2008,we conducted an intensive survey of cold damage in ten mangrove nature reserves along the coastal areas of mainland China. Parameters such as scorch percentage,defoliation percentage and leaf Fv/Fm values(an indicator of leaf physiological health) were determined on selected seedlings and trees of the mangrove species at each site. Important findings With low latitudes in Hainan,Guangxi and Zhanjiang of Guangdong,low air temperature coupled with the ebb tide at night,which caused…