Biomass distribution and soil characteristics along the distance from the coast in a natural mangrove forest in Qatar

et al. 2020

Carbon Balance Manage

Background Mangrove forests have gained recognition for their potential role in climate change mitigation due to carbon sequestration in live trees, and carbon storage in the sediments trapped by mangrove tree roots and pneumatophores. Africa hosts about 19% of the world’s mangroves, yet relatively few studies have examined the carbon stocks of African mangroves. The available studies report considerable differences among sites and amongst the different pools of carbon stocks. None considered the effects of seaward distance. We present details of AGC and SOC carbon stocks for Lindi in Tanzania, and focus on how these values differ with increasing seaward distance and, how our results compare to those reported elsewhere across Africa. Results AGC ranged between 11 and 55 Mg C ha−1, but was not significantly affected by seaward distance. SOC for 0–1 m depth ranged from 154 to 484, with a mean of 302 Mg C ha−1. SOC was significantly negatively correlated with seaward distance. Mangrove type (estuarine/oceanic), soil erosion, soil depth may explain these differences We note important methodological differences in previous studies on carbon stocks in mangroves in Africa. Conclusion This study indicates that seaward distance has an important effect on SOC stocks in the Lindi region of Tanzania. SOC should be fully incorporated into national climate change mitigation policies. Studies should report seaward distance and to describe the type of mangrove stand to make results easily comparable across sites and to assess the true value of Blue Carbon in Africa. We recommend focusing on trees > 10 cm diameter for AGC, and sampling soils to at least 1 m depth for SOC, which would provide a more complete assessment of the potentially considerable mangrove carbon store.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

The effects of seaward distance on above and below ground carbon stocks in estuarine mangrove ecosystems

et al. 2020

Carbon Balance Manage

“…Above ground carbon stocks AGC increased with increasing seaward distance, as has been reported in Qatar and Micronesia and in worldwide reviews (57,62). However, the correlation between AGC and seaward distance was not signi cant, possibly due to the low number of plots or because of the lower AGC value in plot 3 which may have experienced greater exploitation pressure.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

The effects of seaward distance on above and below ground carbon stocks in estuarine mangrove ecosystems

et al. 2020

Preprint

Background: Mangrove forests have gained recognition for their potential role in climate change mitigation due to carbon sequestration in live trees, and carbon storage in the sediments trapped by mangrove tree roots and pneumatophores. Africa hosts about 19% of the world’s mangroves, yet relatively few studies have examined the carbon stocks of African mangroves. The available studies report considerable differences among sites and amongst the different pools of carbon stocks. None considered the effects of seaward distance. We present details of AGC and SOC carbon stocks for Lindi in Tanzania, and focus on how these values differ with increasing seaward distance and, how our results compare to those reported elsewhere across Africa.Results: AGC ranged between 11-55Mg C ha-1, but was not significantly affected by seaward distance. SOC for 0-1m depth ranged from 154-484, with a mean of 302 Mg C ha-1. SOC was significantly negatively correlated with seaward distance. Mangrove type (estuarine/oceanic), soil erosion, soil depth may explain these differences We note important methodological differences in previous studies on carbon stocks in mangroves in Africa. Conclusion:This study indicates that seaward distance has an important effect on SOC stocks in the Lindi region of Tanzania. SOC should be fully incorporated into national climate change mitigation policies. Studies should report seaward distance and to describe the type of mangrove stand to make results easily comparable across sites and to assess the true value of Blue Carbon in Africa. We recommend focusing on trees >10cm diameter for AGC, and sampling soils to at least 1m depth for SOC, which would provide a more complete assessment of the potentially considerable mangrove carbon store.

“…Above ground carbon stocks AGC increased with increasing seaward distance, as has been reported in Qatar and Micronesia and in worldwide reviews (35,50). However, the correlation between AGC and seaward distance was not signi cant, possibly due to the low number of plots or because of the lower AGC value in plot 3 which may have experienced greater exploitation pressure.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Again, waterlogging or salinity, which affects decomposition rates, and therefore nutrients available for plant growth, might also explain some of these differences. In Qatar, Son et al (2018) (35) found that AGC increased as seaward distance increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of seaward distance on above and below ground carbon stocks in estuarine mangrove ecosystems

et al. 2020

Preprint

Background: Mangrove forests have gained recognition for their potential role in climate change mitigation due to the carbon sequestration of the productive ecosystems and storage in the sediments that are trapped by the mangrove tree roots and pneumatophores. Africa hosts about 19% of the world’s mangroves, yet there are relatively few studies that have examined the carbon stocks of African mangroves, and the studies available report great differences among sites and amongst the different pools of carbon stocks, particularly between the above ground carbon stored in trees (AGC) and organic carbon stored within the sediment - ‘soil organic carbon (SOC)’ and none considered the effects of seaward distance. We investigate if AGC and SOC carbon stocks differ with increasing seaward distance for estuarine mangroves in Tanzania and, how our results compare to those reported elsewhere across Africa.Results: AGC ranged between 10.9-54.9 Mg C ha-1 , but was not significantly affected by seaward distance. SOC for 0-1m depth ranged from 153.7-483.6, with a mean of 301.7 Mg C ha-1. SOC was significantly negatively correlated with seaward distance, which is different from studies in Micronesia and the Indo-Pacific. Mangrove type (estuarine/oceanic), soil erosion and soil depth may explain these differences We note important methodological differences in previous studies on carbon stocks in mangroves in Africa. Conclusion:This study indicates that seaward distance has an important effect on SOC stocks in the Lindi region of Tanzania. There is the need to standardise methodological approaches for mangroves in Africa, to report seaward distance and to describe the type of mangrove stand to make results easily comparable across sites and to assess the true value of Blue Carbon in Africa. We recommend focusing on trees >10cm diameter for AGC, and sampling soils to greater than 1m depth for SOC, which would provide a more complete assessment of the potentially considerable mangrove carbon store.