Welcome to the Mangrove Explorer Mapping Tool. The Mangrove Explorer was created by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers to share cutting edge research related to the future distribution of mangroves in the continental United States. The northern limit of mangroves in this region is typically limited by the frequency and intensity of freeze events that damage or kill mangroves. However, as climate change reduces the number of freeze events, mangroves are establishing in areas north of their historic range.

The Mangrove Explorer depicts the most current (2021) distribution of mangroves as well as the projections of the future distribution and characteristics of mangroves under future temperature and precipitation conditions. Other factors that will influence the future distribution, such as policy and coastal management, are also explored on the tool. It is extremely important to note that these projections only depict where mangroves could expand with warming temperatures and do NOT consider the impacts of sea level rise on all coastal wetlands (including mangroves). Sea level rise is expected to lead to wetland loss in some places and also landward migration of coastal wetlands into adjacent upland and upriver ecosystems. Future work is needed to address this impact in the Mangrove Explorer. For now, the maps provide the user with a glimpse into the future where mangroves will likely expand across the majority of the upper Gulf of Mexico and up the east coast into South Carolina by the Year 2100. You can also view the companion story map for more maps and information about mangrove expansion or explore the research that provided the foundation for this tool.

For more information about The Nature Conservancy and partner efforts in the region please visit: TNC | Ensuring a Future for Mangroves in the U.S.