The lunar nodal cycle controls mangrove canopy cover on the Australian continent.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Saintilan N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9473571 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
The lunar nodal cycle controls mangrove canopy cover on the Australian continent.
Saintilan Neil N Lymburner Leo L Wen Li L Haigh Ivan D ID Ai Emma E Kelleway Jeffrey J JJ Rogers Kerrylee K Pham Tien Dat TD Lucas Richard R
Science advances 20220914 37
Long-phase (interannual) tidal cycles have been shown to influence coastal flooding and sedimentation, but their role in shaping the extent and condition of tidal wetlands has received little attention. Here, we show that the 18.61-year lunar nodal cycle, popularly termed the "lunar wobble," is a dominant control over the expansion and contraction of mangrove canopy cover over much of the Australian continent. Furthermore, the contrasting phasing of the 18.61-year lunar nodal cycle between diurn ...[more]
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