Standing Crop Biomass and Carbon Content of Mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. along the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A number of Avicennia marina mangrove forests exist along the 1134 km stretch of the Saudi Red Sea coast. Three areas, one in each of the north, centre, and south of the coast, were selected for this investigation into the relationship between total biomass (above-ground, AGB, and below-ground, BGB), and biomass carbon stocks of A. marina, along the nutrient availability (combined with a salinity gradient). To estimate the total biomass stock, this research employed equations formulated through a regression approach. Various population characteristics (tree crown diameter, height, and density) and measurements of carbon (C) in the trees were captured, and other measurements were gathered to represent the environmental properties: electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) levels. With this data from the 21 stands and 7 sites of A. marina covered by the three locations chosen along the coast, it was concluded that a discernible influence is exerted by the concentrations of TP and TN in the sea water and sediments over the population characteristics of this plant. The resulting estimates also demonstrated a steady increase in total biomass and total biomass carbon storage from the mangroves in the north toward the south, with values changing overall from 197.9 to 1188.2 Mg DM ha−1 and from 87.6 to 412.5 Mg C ha−1 respectively. This illustrates that the biomasses held by the southern mangroves are 6 times (total) and 4.7 times (total carbon storage) higher than those in the north.

Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico

“…The results are close to those recorded in the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, of 131.8 Mg ha −1 [14] and Peninsular Malaysia of 108.27-155.58 Mg ha −1 [19] and higher than those found in Kelantan, Malaysia, of 2.66 Mg ha −1 at a density of 1170 ind ha −1 [71]. According to Gross et al [67] and Shaltout et al [72], the density of trees is positively correlated with biomass; that is, it increases linearly with the increase in the density of stems. In mangroves, the influence of fresh water, low salinity, and a continuous supply of nutrients have a positive influence, increasing the biomass and carbon content and increasing with age [15]; however, the average biomass and carbon content become more variable as the age of the trees increases [73].…”

“…Resources 2024, 13, x 10 of 16 [72], the density of trees is positively correlated with biomass; that is, it increases linearly with the increase in the density of stems. In mangroves, the influence of fresh water, low salinity, and a continuous supply of nutrients have a positive influence, increasing the biomass and carbon content and increasing with age [15]; however, the average biomass and carbon content become more variable as the age of the trees increases [73].…”