Work

Impacts of coastal dynamics on blue carbon ecosystems: Assessing long-term carbon balance in mangroves of Amazon coast

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Coastal erosion is a significant driver of global mangrove loss, yet its net effect on carbon stocks remains poorly understood. This uncertainty arises from sampling limitations and the potential for inland migration and accretion to offset losses. In this study, we estimated the total ecosystem carbon stocks (TECS) of mangroves undergoing erosion and accretion on a tropical island along the Amazon coast. The carbon balance was quantified over a 38-year period by combining field sampling with remote sensing. We found pronounced spatial variability in mangrove TECS (250–1373 Mg C ha⁻¹), closely linked to forest structure, soil properties, and coastal hydrodynamics. Results revealed an accentuated net decline of 55–77 % in TECS between 1985 and 2023, with an estimated loss of approximately 2500 Mg C. These losses are driven by an asymmetry in the carbon balance, highlighting that newly mangrove stands cannot fully compensate for the carbon lost from mature forests characterized by high biomass and organic-rich soils. Ultimately, our results reinforce the importance of local studies to improve large-scale estimates of carbon stocks and other ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests.

Source: Forest Ecology and Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123608

Authors: Vitor L.A. Rodrigues, Carla F.O. Pacheco, André Vassoler, Tiago O. Ferreira, Angelo F. Bernardino

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,560