A recent article in The Conversation discussed new findings that mangroves are expanding across the world and are moving into areas that currently are salt marshes due to warming temperatures. Mangroves are useful to protect shorelines from high waves and storm surges (and even tsunamis) because of their dense root systems. However, it is not clear what will happen to marsh ecologies if mangroves replace the salt marshes that are present now. Marshes serve as nurseries for multiple marine species and a filter to protect water quality along the coast. You can read more about the benefits and concerns about mangrove expansion here.
