Stand structure and carbon storage in the oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh

A mangrove community along the oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF), Bangladesh was selected to study stand structure, biomass accumulation, and carbon storage. Field data were measured from six plots of 2400 m(2) at three different locations. Species diversity and species wise contribution to total biomass carbon (TBC) were also analyzed. Heritiera fomes has maintained its dominance (53.8%, relative density) of the stand. The mean above-and below-ground biomass carbon stock of the mangrove community was 76.8 Mg ha-1 and 41.1 Mg ha-1, respectively. Avicennia officinalis contributed the highest TBC accumulation. Individuals of different mangrove species having diameter >= 9.99 cm constituted more than 72% of the mangrove stand but contributed less in carbon accumulation, representing only 15.6% of the TBC. While individuals having diameter in the 10-56 cm range constituted only 28% of stand density but contributed to high carbon accumulation, representing 84.4% of the TBC. Mangrove communities growing along the oligohaline zone of the SRF show high species richness and carbon stock, indicating their ecological significance, This needs to be considered in future decision making processes for the area as well as in understanding the role of SRF on mitigating the effects of climate change.