Stand Structure and Aboveground Biomass of a Pelliciera rhizophorae Mangrove Forest, Gulf of Monitjo Ramsar Site, Pacific Coast, Panama

Mangroves provide several ecosystems services including carbon storage. Aboveground biomass as a proxy for carbon storage and stand structure were investigated in nine plots located in a riverine Pelliciera rhizophorae forest, Gulf of Montijo Ramsar Site, Pacific Coast, Panama. Aboveground biomass for all trees above 2 cm was estimated using common pan-tropical mangrove biomass regression models. Despite a comparatively low tree species diversity there was a considerable variation in stand structure and biomass among the plots. P. rhizophorae dominated the river and center plots with tree densities between 1,275 and 10,075 trees ha(-1). Further inland, species composition shifted towards a Rhizophora racemosa dominated forest. Lower density of larger trees in the inland plots may be due to small-scale cutting of trees at the forest margin. Across all plots, P. rhizophorae was smaller in diameter and height than R. racemosa. Aboveground biomass ranged from 76 Mg ha(-1) to 335 Mg ha(-1) (average: 176 Mg ha(-1)) and was closely related to stem density and basal area. Compared to other neotropical mangrove forests this riverine P. rhizophorae forest stores substantial amounts of biomass. Conservation strategies have to be put in place to maintain the threatened P. rhizophorae forest in Central America.