Role of mangrove afforestation in the high saline zone of Bangladesh: Changes of carbon stock with stand age and species composition

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2024-07, Vol.563, p.122000, Article 122000
• Main Authors: Ratul, Sourav Bagchi, Islam, Md. Nazrul, Chen, Luzhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age variation; Biomass carbon storage; Carbon accumulation; Mixed plantation; Soil organic carbon; Species composition
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122000

The carbon storage in Bangladeshi mangrove plantations is influenced by site-specific variations and plantation management practices. This study was focused on evaluating the impact of stand age and above-ground factors on the carbon storage of the western-side high-saline mangrove plantations in Bangladesh. A comprehensive field study was conducted, encompassing mangrove plantations aged 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 35 years, to assess their potential for ecosystem carbon storage. The biomass data was calculated by estimating the tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) with common allometric equations and soil samples were collected from every plot for estimating the organic carbon in the soil of the mangrove plantations. Stand structure attributes showed significant differences among all age classes and Sonneratia apetala was found to be dominant among all other species (IV = 147.41). Biomass C storage upsurges with age, ranging from 51.5±3.2–259.9±103.5 Mg C ha−1, while soil C storage averages 33.1±3.1 Mg C ha−1, showing no significant variation on age. Ecosystem carbon storage increases significantly with age and 35-year-old mangrove plantations exhibit the highest storage potential (292.0±105.5 Mg C ha−1). An analysis of species composition highlighted that Sonneratia apetala accumulated 94.1±28.4 Mg C ha−1 of biomass carbon, a figure notably higher than other species. The comparison indicated that, while the ecosystem carbon storage in Bangladesh is higher in mature-aged mangrove plantations, it lags behind young-aged mangrove plantations in Myanmar. Bangladesh exhibits a higher biomass carbon accumulation rate than China and India but falls short by 56% when compared to Myanmar's biomass carbon accumulation. However, these insights from mangrove plantation studies can serve as valuable guidance for policymakers and researchers, aiding in the conservation and management of mangroves and developing a blue carbon framework to meet the required funding for sustainable development of mangrove plantations and local communities in Bangladesh. •Biomass C storage upsurges with age, ranging from 51.5∼259.9 Mg C ha-1.•Soil C storage showed no significant difference, with a mean of 33.1±3.1 Mg C ha-1.•The ecosystem carbon increases over age but sequestration decreases.•C storage potential of Bangladesh is comparable with other mangrove plantations.