A comparative study on carbon sequestration potential of disturbed and undisturbed mangrove ecosystems in Kannur district, Kerala, South India
Kumar Manoj, Thangavelu U. Arumugam, Adithya Prakash
Abstract
The study attempts have been made to assess the carbon sequestration potential of conserved mangrove ecosystems and anthropogenic mangrove ecosystems. The investigation used a non-destructive method of biomass estimation to determine carbon sequestration potential. The CO2 equivalent, or carbon sequestration potential, of the Edat mangrove ecosystem is 286.88 t C/ha, and Valapattanam is 212.20 t C/ha. The CO2 equivalent of the Edat mangrove ecosystem is higher than that of Valapattanam. Avicenna officinal contributes to the higher carbon sequestration potential. The present study reveals that conserved mangrove ecosystems have the highest carbon sequestration potential compared to anthropogenic-interfering mangrove ecosystems. The Valapattanam mangrove ecosystem frequently faces illegal encroachment, land reclamation, industrialization, sand mining, and coastal erosion.