Carbon sequestration in mangrove forests

Mangrove forests are highly productive, with carbon production rates equivalent to tropical humid forests. Mangroves allocate proportionally more carbon belowground, and have higher below- to above-ground carbon mass ratios than terrestrial trees. Most mangrove carbon is stored as large pools in soil and dead roots. Mangroves are among the most carbon-rich biomes, containing an average of 937 tC ha(-1), facilitating the accumulation of fine particles, and fostering rapid rates of sediment accretion (similar to 5 mm year(-1)) and carbon burial (174 gC m(-2) year(-1)). Mangroves account for only approximately 1% (13.5 Gt year(-1)) of carbon sequestration by the world's forests, but as coastal habitats they account for 14% of carbon sequestration by the global ocean. If mangrove carbon stocks are disturbed, resultant gas emissions may be very high. Irrespective of uncertainties and the unique nature of implementing REDD+ and Blue Carbon projects, mangroves are prime ecosystems for reforestation and restoration.