Benefits of Blue Carbon Stocks in a Coastal Jazan Ecosystem Undergoing Land Use Change

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are characterized by high content of soil carbon storage; however, they experience severe land conversions in the past decades. The current study aims to examine how different land use/land cover (LU/LC) impact carbon stock in coastal ecosystem along Jazan coast, Saudi Arabia. In this study, impacts of LU/LC on carbon stocks in the coastal zone of Jazan, Saudi Arabia in 2009, 2013, and 2021 were assessed. Also, the LU/LC dynamics were evaluated using data provided by the land use dynamic model. The carbon stocks were modelled based on LU/LC using the InVEST program. Our study results showed that the decrease in mangroves from 2013 to 2021 reflects the high atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). Also, the increase in built-up areas might negatively impact total carbon stock. The estimated carbon stocks for the coastal zone of Jazan biome were 7279027.42 Mg C in 2009 (1Mg = 106 g). It decreased to 2827817.84 Mg C in 2013, with a total loss of − 4450675.40 Mg C, and an average of annual loss of − 1,112,669 Mg C in the study period with net value of − 461240790.53 US$. On the other hand, the total estimated carbon stock was increased from 2013 to 2021 with a 3772968.31 Mg C in 2021 (a total gain 944840.87 Mg C). Based on the current findings, we recommend that land-use-policy makers and environmental government agencies should implement conservation policies to reduce land use change at Jazan coastal ecosystems.