Dynamics of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in the reclaimed islands of Sundarban mangrove ecosystem, India

Abstract

AbstractThe loss and deterioration of mangroves would lead to potentially important greenhouse gases (GHG) from the mangrove ecosystem. Seasonal variations of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes are studied in the Indian part of the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem. Considering the importance of CH4 and CO2 fluxes, a dynamic model is proposed here with CH4 and CO2 as state variables. The data used in the model are collected and analysed from the field over two years. The parameters that are taken from the literature sources are calibrated in the model. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the valuable contribution of various parameters to the dynamics of CH4 and CO2 emissions from the mangrove beds. Model simulation results are appropriately validated with the observed data. Results showed that CH4 and CO2 fluxes were higher during monsoon. Pearson correlation was done to assess the relationships between emissions and all the physical–chemical factors involved in the model. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the temperature sensitivity (Q10) was the system‐sensitive parameter for CH4 and CO2 emissions. The soil moisture and relative light intensity were the sensitive parameters for CH4 and CO2 emissions, respectively. Model showed that the increase in the anthropogenic emissions including emissions from livestock and fossil fuel caused an increase of 2% of CH4 and 3% of CO2 in the system, respectively. The proposed model could be a tool for environmental managers to assess the emission process at different global locations.