Figure 4

Surface elevation change, vertical accretion of sediments, and root zone expansion versus subsidence. Root zone expansion as the primary driver of surface elevation change on created mangrove wetlands (a) is contrasted to shallow subsidence, or root zone compaction, as the primary driver of surface elevation change on reference mangrove wetlands (b) in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Cartoons depict cross-sections of representative created versus reference mangrove wetlands, including average tree heights and relative influence of the root zone. Symbols represent means (±SE) of the nine created mangrove wetlands and nine reference mangrove wetlands over five years of monitoring.