@article{fdi:010097067,
  title = {{T}he deterministic role of surface elevation in natural mangrove establishment and expansion : insight from {U}nmanned {A}erial {S}ystems},
  author = {{S}taquet, {A}drien and {P}roisy, {C}hristophe and {G}ardel, {A}. and {A}ugusseau, {P}. {E}. and {M}aury, {T}. and {A}ttali, {A}. and {B}runier, {G}. and {F}acundes, {F}. and {F}rati, {G}. and {G}ranjon, {L}aurent and {L}eroy, {C}{\'e}line and {M}ury, {A}ntoine and {S}antos, {V}. {F}. and {A}nthony, {E}. {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he role of substrate elevation in the establishment of mangroves has been highlighted in the literature. {H}owever, the link between elevation and mangrove growth over large areas remains poorly known. {T}o address this issue, we conducted an experiment in {F}rench {G}uiana, where extensive mud banks provide large areas of accreting mudflats over which occurs rapid mangrove expansion. {A}bout 15 ha of a mudflat were topographically surveyed monthly to bimonthly over 19 months using {U}nmanned {A}erial {S}ystem ({UAS})-based high-resolution photogrammetry, and environmental variables (vegetation, water depth, temperature, salinity) continuously measured. {D}uring the experiment, the mudflat elevation increased by 0.9 m, from 2.4 to 3.5 m above {L}owest {A}stronomical {T}ide level, in the wake of mud-bank sedimentation. {A}bout 5.5 ha were colonised by {L}aguncularia racemosa and {A}vicennia germinans mangroves in less than 4 months. {O}nce the elevation reached 2.8 m, close to {M}ean {H}igh {W}ater {N}eaps, abundant seedlings rapidly established and spread. {T}herefore, mapping elevation using {UAS}-photogrammetry reveals how coastal accretion can trigger mangrove establishment. {W}e discuss the advantages of this cost-effective tool in confidently identifying critical elevation levels for natural mangrove establishment and for viable mangrove restorations, many of which fail due to poor knowledge of substrate elevation. {W}e show the limitations of photogrammetric surveys once the mangrove cover develops. {M}onitoring the link between mangrove establishment and elevation can provide essential insight in the anticipation of coastal change and in the successful implementation of mangrove-based ecological restoration.},
  keywords = {{M}angroves ; {M}uddy sedimentation ; {UAS} photogrammetry ; {M}udflat elevation ; {E}cological restoration ; {N}ature-based solution ; {S}outh {A}merica ; {GUYANE} {FRANCAISE} ; {CAYENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}stuarine {C}oastal and {S}helf {S}cience},
  volume = {337},
  numero = {},
  pages = {109903 [16 p.]},
  ISSN = {0272-7714},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ecss.2026.109903},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010097067},
}