Community structure dynamics and carbon stock change of rehabilitated mangrove forests in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Clint Cameron, Lindsay B. Hutley, Daniel A. Friess, Benjamin Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To date, discourse associated with the potential application of “blue carbon” within real‐world carbon markets has focused on blue carbon as a mitigation strategy in the context of avoided deforestation (e.g., REDD+). Here, we report structural dynamics and carbon storage gains from mangrove sites that have undergone rehabilitation to ascertain whether reforestation can complement conservation activities and warrant project investment. Replicated sites at two locations with contrasting geomorphic conditions were selected, Tiwoho and Tanakeke on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. These locations are representative of high (Tiwoho, deep muds and silty substrates) and low (Tanakeke, shallow, coralline sands) productivity mangrove ecosystems. They share a similar management history of clearing and conversion for aquaculture before restorative activities were undertaken using the practice of Ecological Mangrove Rehabilitation (EMR). Species diversity and mean biomass carbon storage gains after 10 yr of regrowth from the high productivity sites of Tiwoho (49.2 ± 9.1 Mg C·ha−1·yr−1) are already almost of one‐third of mean biomass stocks exhibited by mature forests (167.8 ± 30.3 Mg C·ha−1·yr−1). Tiwoho's EMR sites, on average, will have offset all biomass C that was initially lost through conversion within the next 11 yr, a finding in marked contrast to the minimal carbon gains observed on the low productivity, low diversity, coral atoll EMR sites of Tanakeke (1.1 ± 0.4 Mg C·ha−1·yr−1). These findings highlight the importance of geomorphic and biophysical site selection if the primary purpose of EMR is intended to maximize carbon sequestration gains.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere01810
Pages (from-to)1-20
Number of pages20
JournalEcological Applications
Volume29
Issue number1
Early online date26 Nov 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

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