Deforested Mangroves Affect the Potential for Carbon Linkages between Connected Ecosystems

• Published in: Estuaries and coasts Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 1207 - 1213
• Main Authors: Gillis, L. G., Belshe, E. F., Narayan, G. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Science+Business Media 01-07-2017; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Carbon capture and storage; Carbon dioxide; Carbon sequestration; Carbon sources; Coastal Sciences; Coral reefs; Deforestation; Drainage; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecosystems; Environment; Environmental Management; Fluxes; Forests; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; High tide; Human influences; Linkages; Mangrove swamps; Mangroves; Organic carbon; Sea grasses; Sediment; Sediments; SHORT COMMUNICATION; Species richness; Stocks; Water and Health; Water column; Dissolved organic carbon; Carbon dioxide fluxes; Connectivity; Outwelling; Dissolved inorganic carbon; Tropical coastal seascape
• ISSN: 1559-2723; 1559-2731
• DOI: 10.1007/s12237-017-0210-9

Mangrove forests are important sinks and sources of carbon especially for connections to coral reefs and seagrass beds. However, they are increasing under threat from anthropogenic influences. We investigated correlations between carbon fluxes from the sediment and water column in deforested and intact mangroves. Our findings show that deforestation has a negative effect on sediment organic carbon storage and CO₂ fluxes. HZowever, species richness and density showed a positive correlation with sediment organic carbon storage and CO₂ fluxes. An increased density of saplings showed a positive relationship with dissolved inorganic and organic carbon draining the mangrove forest at high tide. This research offers insights into the importance of the key forest characteristics influencing the storage and fluxes of carbon. Alterations in mangrove carbon stocks and retention may affect connected ecosystems.