Resilience of Bruguiera gymnorhizza Seedlings to Climate Change Driven Salinity Rise in the Indian Sundarbans

Introduction

Mangroves play a vital role in protecting coastal ecosystems, but rising salinity caused by climate change poses new challenges to their survival. A recent study explored how Bruguiera gymnorhizza, a large-leaved orange mangrove, adapts to increasing salt levels in the Indian Sundarbans. The findings highlight this species’ resilience, offering hope for mangrove conservation in vulnerable deltaic regions. Visit Advance Chemistry Journal for more groundbreaking research on environmental and biochemical sciences

Salinity and Mangrove Adaptation

Researchers investigated the effects of salinity on chlorophyll and proline levels in Bruguiera gymnorhizza seedlings exposed to varying salt concentrations (2–20 psu) over 30 days. Key findings include:

• Chlorophyll levels increased with salinity, indicating stable photosynthetic efficiency.
• Chlorophyll a:b ratio remained constant, suggesting minimal damage to the plant’s light-harvesting complex.
• Carotenoid and proline levels were unaffected, showing unique tolerance compared to many salt-sensitive plants.

Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.aac.1001005.

Implications for Climate Change Resilience

The ability of Bruguiera gymnorhizza to thrive even at 15–20 psu salinity suggests it is a strong candidate for survival in areas facing rising sea levels. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global sea levels are projected to rise significantly by the end of the century, making salt-tolerant mangroves crucial for ecosystem balance and coastal defense.

Additionally, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) emphasizes that protecting mangroves is critical for biodiversity, fisheries, and climate resilience. This study aligns with such conservation priorities by identifying species capable of withstanding extreme saline conditions.

Broader Environmental Impact

The Indian Sundarbans home to the world’s fifth-largest mangrove forest are experiencing a sea level rise of 3.14 mm per year, higher than the global average. With freshwater flow declining due to siltation and climate shifts, only salt-tolerant species like Bruguiera gymnorhizza may continue to thrive.

A detailed analysis of the biochemical response of mangroves can be found in our main journal article.

For more insights on related ecological studies, explore our Environmental Research category.

Key Takeaways

• Bruguiera gymnorhizza shows exceptional tolerance to high salinity.
• Chlorophyll pigments increase under saline conditions, supporting photosynthesis.
• Unlike many plants, carotenoid and proline levels remain stable under salt stress.
• This adaptability makes the species a promising climate-resilient mangrove for the Sundarbans and beyond.

Call-to-Action

Mangrove resilience is vital in mitigating the impact of climate change on vulnerable coastlines. Explore more studies at https://www.advancechemjournal.com/ and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

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