article · Oceanologia
A study of coastal mangrove ecosystems in the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia evaluated the sediment carbon stocks of black mangrove (Avicennia marina) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata). Significant differences emerged between the two species in sediment bulk density and sediment organic carbon concentration, with black mangrove environments exhibiting higher mean values for both metrics. Over a sampling depth of zero to fifty centimetres, sediment organic carbon stock reached twelve point three kilograms of carbon per square metre under black mangroves compared to ten point eight kilograms under red mangroves. Across the two hundred and sixteen hectare mangrove extent of the islands, total carbon sequestration potential was calculated at ten point three megagrams of carbon per year for red mangrove areas and eleven point eight megagrams per year for black mangrove areas. These measurements provide foundational evidence supporting the protection and restoration of arid-region coastal wetlands.
Mangroves in arid regions capture and store meaningful quantities of carbon in coastal soils, helping counter climate change. Quantifying these stocks shows the relative performance of distinct mangrove species, specifically highlighting the superior carbon storage of black mangroves. Such data gives environmental managers and policymakers the necessary baseline information to prioritise habitats for conservation and guide coastal restoration projects along the Red Sea.
This early-stage ecological research informs coastal restoration planning and conservation management for environmental authorities and marine ecosystem project developers. While it does not deliver a direct commercial product, the baseline data can support blue carbon accounting frameworks and restoration initiatives seeking carbon credits. Moving this toward practical carbon-offset financing models will require translating these empirical soil stock measurements into formal verification protocols.
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The aim of this study was to conduct the first comprehensive evaluation of carbon stock in the sediments of Avicennia marina (black mangrove) and Rhizophora mucronata (red mangrove) along the coastline of an arid region (Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia). Such information is necessary for the development of any management plan for the mangrove ecosystems along the Saudi Red Sea islands and provide a rationale for the restoration of mangrove forests in Saudi Arabia. A. marina and R. mucronata locations showed significant (P < 0.001) differences in sediment bulk density (SBD) and sediment organic carbon (SOC) concentration with higher mean values for both in the sediments of A. marina. Considering the whole depth of sediment sampled (0–50 cm), the highest value of SOC stock (12.3 kg C m−2) was recorded at A. marina locations and the lowest (10.8 kg C m−2) at R. mucronata locations. Thus, the SOC stock of A. marina was greater than that of R. mucronata by 114.3%. Consequently, considering the rate of carbon sequestration and the area of mangrove forests (216.4 ha), the total carbon sequestration potential of mangroves in the Farasan Islands ranged between 10.3 Mg C yr−1 and 11.8 Mg C yr−1 for R. mucronata and A. marina locations, respectively. Thus, it is necessary to protect and restore these ecosystems for the sequestration of carbon and for their other valuable ecosystem services.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.oceano.2019.12.001
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