Carbon accumulation rates of vegetation and soil in mangroves of China and their influencing factors

Abstract

The mangrove forest constitutes an important part of blue carbon sink. A summary of carbon accumulation rates of vegetation and soil in mangrove forests and their influencing factors is lacking at the national scale of China. Based on literature collection and data mining, we analyzed the carbon accumulation rate and influencing factors of mangrove vegetation, soil, and the entire ecosystem in China. The results showed that vegetation carbon accumulation rate changed with the age of mangrove forests, with the pattern differing among different communities. Soil carbon accumulation rate differed little among forest ages. The mangrove community types with carbon accumulation rate being commonly reported were Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora stylosa, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Sonneratia apetala and Sonneratia caseolaris. Among them, S. apetala community and S. caseolaris community had the highest vegetation carbon accumulation rate, and soil carbon accumulation rate was not significantly different among communities. The mean carbon accumulation rates of vegetation and soil in mangroves of China were 766.9 and 201.1 g·m^-2·a^-1, respectively, with Guangdong Province having the highest average values. Stand origin (natural or planted) and quantification methods had no significant effect on the carbon accumulation rates of vegetation, soil or entire ecosystem. In general, the vegetation carbon accumulation rate of mangroves is mainly influenced by forest age and community type at the national scale, which can be regulated by tree species selection and forest age management in mangrove restoration. However, the main factors influencing soil carbon accumulation rate need to be investigated by further research. More measurement of carbon accumulation rate of mangroves in Zhejiang and Hainan provinces are needed.

Keywords: blue carbon; carbon accumulation rate; carbon sink; carbon stock; mangrove; productivity.