TY - JOUR

T1 - The effects of seaward distance on above and below ground carbon stocks in estuarine mangrove ecosystems

AU - Cleyndert, Georgia de Jong

AU - Cuni-Sanchez, Aida

AU - Seki, Hamidu A.

AU - Shirima, Deo D.

AU - Munishi, Pantaleo K. T.

AU - Burgess, Neil

AU - Calders, Kim

AU - Marchant, Robert

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Africa

KW - Blue Carbon

KW - REDD plus

KW - Sediment

KW - Mangrove management

KW - BLUE CARBON

KW - ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS

KW - TREE ALLOMETRY

KW - COASTAL

KW - EMISSIONS

KW - DYNAMICS

KW - FORESTS

KW - STORAGE

KW - AQUACULTURE

KW - HABITATS

U2 - 10.1186/s13021-020-00161-4

DO - 10.1186/s13021-020-00161-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33284405

VL - 15

JO - Carbon Balance and Management

JF - Carbon Balance and Management

SN - 1750-0680

IS - 1

M1 - 27

ER -