Comparative analysis of water-use strategies in three subtropical mangrove species: a study of sap flow and gas exchange monitoring.

This article investigates the water-use strategies of three co-occurring mangrove species—*Avicennia marina*, *Aegiceras corniculatum*, and *Kandelia obovata*—in subtropical intertidal habitats of China through year-long sap flow, leaf gas exchange, and stem diameter measurements. The study found species-specific differences: *Kandelia* exhibited a more conservative and efficient water-use strategy with higher water-use efficiency (WUE) and tighter stomatal control, while *Avicennia* showed higher sap flow and greater sensitivity to environmental factors, supported by unique stem water storage patterns. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and air temperature (Ta) were identified as key meteorological drivers of sap flow, with soil temperature and salinity also influencing water use. These findings highlight diverse adaptive water-use mechanisms among mangrove species and suggest that *Kandelia* may be better suited to cope with future climate-induced changes in intertidal environments, offering insights for mangrove afforestation and ecological restoration efforts.