Blue carbon sequestration following mangrove restoration: evidence from a carbon neutral case in China

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sequestration of blue carbon (C) in mangrove plantations depends on site characteristics and plantation management. This study evaluated the effects of plantation management on C sequestration at a C-neutral site in Xiamen, China. A field study was conducted on 10-year-old Sonneratia apetala and Kandelia obovata plantations (mono-Sa, mono-Ko) and a 15-year-old mixed plantation-. We found that mono-Ko had a significantly higher ecosystem C sequestration rate (3.32 ± 0.62 kg C m −2 yr −1 ) than others when planted in the indirect shade of pioneer species. As a non-native species, Sonneratia performed better (0.57 ± 0.01 kg C m −2 yr −1 ) when planted with Kandelia than in monotypic plantations. The temporary and long-term certified emission reduction (tCER and lCER) of the 12.98 ha mono-Ko was 4103.89 and 3693.50 net CO 2 -e within 10 years, respectively. A literature review was conducted to show the compatibility of this study with other natural and plantation sites of China and Bangladesh (the native habitat for Sonneratia ). The C sequestration of Sonneratia plantation sites in China is comparable with those in Bangladesh. However, the soil C accumulation rate for a Sonneratia monotypic plantation in Bangladesh decreased with age, yet the same did not occur in the plantations of China.