In Colombia there is little information on the role of mangroves in relation to greenhouse gases (GHG), their release rates under different environmental conditions, or their role in the global carbon cycle. For these reasons, in this study we evaluated the fluxes of CH4 and N2O, in four sectors of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) with different degrees of conservation of mangrove forests, to determine their role as a source or sink of GHG. The fluxes were measured by the method of the static chambers and showed variations between 34.7-1179.7 and nd-31569.2 μg.m-2.h-1 for N2O and CH4, respectively, showing that mangrove sediments of CGSM are a net source of GHG, and furthermore are of the same magnitude as levels recorded world-wide in mangroves subjected to sewage input. Statistical analyses showed differences between sectors but not between climatic periods. N2O emissions were highest in the Agua Negras station (AN, 847.3 ± 265.7 μg.m-2.h-1), a locality in the process of natural regeneration with a direct influence from the Magdalena River and in Caño Dragado (CD, 438.7 ± 235.3 μg.m-2.h-1); while emissions were lower in the recovery sites Caño Grande (CG) and Rinconada (RIN), (104.7 ± 49.4 and 152.1 ± 36.0 μg.m-2.h-1, respectively). The highest CH4 emission was recorded in recovery sectors: CG and AN (9573.4 ± 8623.8 and 4328.2 ± 7569.5 μg.m-2.h-1, respectively). In terms of CO2-equivalent, N2O emissions account for over 50% of the total, and this has been documented for agricultural systems and constitutes evidence of deterioration of CD. A correlation analysis with environmental factors showed that N2O emissions vary inversely with salinity and positively with nitrites, suggesting production mainly via nitrification. Finally, a coarse estimation of GHG emissions per hectare indicated that, depending on the state of conservation or deterioration of the mangrove, emissions can vary from 10.2 to 27.1 tCO2-eq.ha-1.a-1.
cover and structural attributes of mangrove forests in the Baja Guajira were estimated and identified. Forest cover was estimated from ASTER images and aerial photographs. The forest structure was evaluated along transects which were 10 m broad and as long as the width of the mangrove fringe. In each transect mangrove trees were identified and counted. The total height and the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees were measured and subsequently the basal area, density and Importance Value Index (IVI) calculated. The estimated mangrove cover of the Baja Guajira was 59.9 ha. The most frequent and dominant species was Laguncularia racemosa (0.54 m2.ha-1). Rhizophora mangle was present in 75 % of the stations, while Avicennia germinans was only found in the north of the study area. The highest average heights and diameters for R. mangle, L. racemosa and A. germinans were determined in Rincón Mosquito (12.9±2.3 m and 22.4±11.2 cm), Puerto Brisa (12.2±5.3 m and 20.8±9.8 cm) and La Enea (13.8± 4.3 m and 23.8±14.8 cm), sectors with a constant fresh water supply. The less developed forest, a monospecific forest of Conocarpus erectus, was observed in Dibulla station, with height and diameter averages of 2.8±0.6 m and 3.0±0.9 cm. In terms of natural regeneration, L. racemosa presented the highest proportion of seedlings in the study area, R. mangle was found in stations partly flooded and A. germinans had the highest density of seedlings and propagules at La Enea station.
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