Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Mangroves are one of Earth's “blue lungs” due to their exceptional carbon‐storage capabilities amidst rapidly increasing carbon dioxide. Despite providing numerous ecological services, their global distribution and carbon‐storage capacities have severely declined over the past 35 years (1985–2020). Here, we quantify spatio‐temporal changes in global and national carbon‐stocks that include this period. We found that global mangrove area decreased from 17.35 million‐hectares in 1985 (carbon‐storage of 6.84 Pg) to 13.61 million‐hectares in 2020 (carbon‐storage of 5.72 Pg). Significant losses occurred in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, with a global reduction of 21.6% in area and 16.5% in carbon‐stocks. Potential maximum loss of accumulated carbon‐storage in mangroves was equivalent to 4.13 Pg of CO2, accounting for 0.4% of the global cumulative fossil CO2 emissions (1,009 Pg) during 1985–2020. This study provides more comprehensive and accurate statistics, maps, and insights on estimating and reducing mangrove carbon emissions to support global and national protection policies.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2025gl115303
Authors: Chengyuan Ju, Dongjie Fu, Vincent Lyne, Han Xiao, Fenzhen Su, Hao Yu
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Nanjing University, University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Climate action, Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
Award: G960498415
OpenAlex ID: W4409584148