Carbon Stocks Assessment in a Disturbed and Undisturbed Mangrove Forest in Ghana

Abstract

Mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems have long been recognised for their carbon sink function, yet the organic carbon stocks of mangroves in many countries in Africa remain to be assessed. This study evaluates the impact of traditional forest conservation on long-term carbon sequestration in a non-degraded (Amanzule) and a degraded (Kakum) mangrove forest system in Ghana (West Africa). The amount of carbon stored in mangrove trees was estimated from diameter-based allometric equations. Tree (above- and below-ground) carbon was ~34-fold higher in the Amanzule forest (mean = 0.89 ± 0.10 t/ha) than in the Kakum forest (mean = 0.026 ± 0.019 t/ha). Soil carbon density was estimated as organic carbon and bulk density at specific depths in both forests. Soil organic carbon density was ~5-fold higher in the Amanzule forest (mean = 2935.79 ± 266 t/ha) than the Kakum forest (mean = 554.01 ± 83 t/ha). The variation in the vertical distribution of soil carbon was not significant in either forest (F = 0.57; p > 0.05). These findings underscore the role of traditional conservation on mangrove carbon stocks and the need to consider the governance of coastal ecosystems when estimating blue carbon.

High regeneration may not contribute to the forest’s carbon storage: A case study in the mangrove forest of Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta, Sarawak

“…This suggests that the more intact forests have higher biomass and carbon storage than the disturbed forests. A similar result was found by Adotey et al (2022) in which the protected mangrove forests of Amanzule, Ghana has 28 times higher aboveground carbon densities than the disturbed Kakum forest. The higher carbon densities in the Amanzule forest are contributed by the big tree diameter and height as compared to the low average diameter and height of trees in the Kakum forest.…”

Does mangrove vegetation structure reflect human utilization of ecosystem goods and services?

“…This could explain why the Ankobra mangrove forest, which is Rhizophora-dominated, registered a higher density compared to the Avicennia -dominated (3627.7 stems/ha) Kakum forest reported by Adotey et al. 101 However, despite the Western bank 2 having the highest stocking density, all forest banks in this study recorded relatively lower stem density especially compared to Ajonina et al. 50 in Amanzule forests and Adotey et al.…”

“… 50 in Amanzule forests and Adotey et al. 101 in Kakum mangrove forests. This occurrence could be attributed to the high harvesting pressure on the forest, as fish smokers prefer Rhizophora in the surrounding villages.…”

Quantification of Above-Ground Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Roadside Trees in the Plateau Department of Benin Republic

“…To mitigate the consequences of climate change, a number of measures have been proposed, such as the use of natural carbon sinks like forests, wetlands, and agricultural regions (Murray & Ebi, 2012). Roadside trees have been cited as one of the most effective natural solutions for minimizing climate change, since they also capture carbon dioxide from the environment via photosynthesis and store it in their biomass (Adotey et al, 2022).…”