Evaluating, predicting and mapping belowground carbon stores in Kenyan mangroves

Mangroves are globally important carbon sinks with carbon density values three to four times that of terrestrial forests

Abstract

Despite covering only approximately 138 000 km(2), mangroves are globally important carbon sinks with carbon density values three to four times that of terrestrial forests. A key challenge in evaluating the carbon benefits from mangrove forest conservation is the lack of rigorous spatially resolved estimates of mangrove sediment carbon stocks; most mangrove carbon is stored belowground. Previous work has focused on detailed estimations of carbon stores over relatively small areas, which has obvious limitations in terms of generality and scope of application. Most studies have focused only on quantifying the top 1 m of belowground carbon (BGC). Carbon stored at depths beyond 1 m, and the effects of mangrove species, location and environmental context on these stores, are poorly studied.

This study investigated these variables at two sites (Gazi and Vanga in the south of Kenya) and used the data to produce a country-specific BGC predictive model for Kenya and map BGC store estimates throughout Kenya at spatial scales relevant for climate change research, forest management and REDD+ (reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation).

This work was supported by the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme

Citation

Gress, S.K., Huxham, M., Kairo, J.G., Mugi, L.M., Briers, R.A., (2017) Evaluating, predicting and mapping belowground carbon stores in Kenyan mangroves, Global Change Biology, vol.23, issue1, pp.224-234,

Evaluating, predicting and mapping belowground carbon stores in Kenyan mangroves

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Published 31 January 2017