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On some Australian islands, sea level rise may be helping mangroves thrive

The geologic history of the Howick Islands might benefit mangroves as oceans rise

An aerial photo of an island with mangroves visible in a bright blue body of water.

Australia's Howick Islands (one pictured) were built on top of ancient coral reef debris and are now home to a diverse mangrove forest ecosystem.

Sarah Hamylton

By Darren Incorvaia

Some mangrove forests off Australia have flourished in the last several decades, a new study reports. And, counterintuitively, rising sea levels may be responsible.

Off Australia’s northern coast, the skeletal remains of ancient coral reefs form the bedrock of numerous wooded islands.