Biomass and carbon stocks in mangrove-afforested areas, central coastal areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Mangroves are the remarkably productive ecosystems of the world which losses its natural existence to a great portion and presently emphasis is given on its plantation for future conservation. Thus, present study focused on the development of biomass models for the Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) and Sonneratia apetala (Buch-Ham), and assessment of carbon stock for the plantation of central coastal areas of Bangladesh. Semi-destructive approach was applied for estimating the biomass of trees. The best-fit TAGB models for S. apetala and S. caseolaris plantations were Ln (TAGB) = -1.89 + 2.10 * Ln(D) + 0.23*Ln(H), and Ln (TAGB) = -3.09 + 2.31*Ln(D) + 0.35*Ln(H), respectively. Carbon stocks in TAGB and below-ground were estimated for a young mangrove plantation (<20 years) with Sonneratia apetala and Sonneratia caseolaris; and for an older plantation (>40 years) with Sonneratia apetala separately. The mean ecosystem carbon stock (above- and below-ground) of young and mature were estimated to be 350.53 ± 14.23 t C/ha and 483.64 ± 16.35 t C/ha, respectively which varied significant (p < 0.05) between the sites. The current study recommended assessing the biomass of studied species using the site and species-specific allometric models for the correct carbon accounting.