Black mangroves could slow Louisiana marsh edge erosion
Mar 9th 2026
As warming winters let black mangroves expand into Louisiana, an LSU study shows established mangrove stands can cut marsh edge erosion by about half by using deep roots to strengthen soils, but they must be planted inland and allowed to mature to work effectively.
- LSU researchers found black mangroves reduce marsh edge erosion by about 40 to 60 percent.
- Mangrove roots run deeper than typical marsh plants and strengthen soil to resist wave-driven edge failure.
- Sparse or newly planted mangroves do not reduce erosion, so they must establish dense stands first.
- Managers should plant mangroves inland rather than on the marsh edge to allow time for protective stands to form.
- Black mangroves store more carbon than other coastal plants and provide habitat benefits such as pelican rookeries.
- The study was led by Mike Rabalais with Tracy Quirk and Giulio Mariotti at LSU and funded by the National Science Foundation.