Work

The Impact of Mangrove Degradation and Restoration on Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mangroves play an important role in carbon cycling and are receiving considerable attention to restore degraded areas. Accelerated Natural Regeneration of Mangrove (ANRM) is an approach practiced in Anawilundawa Wetland Ramsar Sanctuary in Sri Lanka since 2019 to restore mangroves in abandoned shrimp ponds. This study was conducted to measure the Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks in peripheral natural mangroves, areas restored with mangrove seedlings, adjacent landward woody areas and abandoned shrimp ponds which are currently covered with secondary vegetation in Anawilundawa Wetland Ramsar Sanctuary in 2023. Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks were 216.98 ± 15.00 Mg C/ha (for peripheral natural mangroves), 212.58 ± 33.42 Mg C/ha (restored areas), 280.75 ± 30.37 Mg C/ha (adjacent landward woody area) and 348.12 ± 12.83 Mg C/ha (abandoned shrimp ponds). The highest soil organic carbon (SOC) was found in abandoned shrimp ponds (347.48 ± 12.48 Mg C/ha) while the lowest SOC was reported in the adjacent landward woody area (170.14 ± 18.09 Mg C/ha). The mean total vegetation carbon (aboveground and belowground carbon combined) was highest for woody area of 83.51 ± 12.38 Mg C/ha. The vegetation carbon stocks of peripheral natural mangroves, restored area and abandoned shrimp ponds had 33.67 ± 8.81 Mg C/ha, 1.09 ± 0.24 Mg C/ha and 0.64 ± 0.35 Mg C/ha respectively. This study highlighted higher levels of Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks in abandoned shrimp ponds (predominantly belowground soil carbon), where currently Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monoica , and Tamarix indica are found naturally as secondary vegetation, perhaps highlighting the potential contribution of secondary vegetation in disturbed areas.

Source: Wetlands

DOI: 10.1007/s13157-026-02057-4