Optimizing the spatial distribution of Southeast Asia mangrove restoration based on zonation, species and carbon projection schemes

Abstract

Mangroves contain large amounts of carbon that can reduce the effects of global climate change, which is termed as blue carbon and noted as an important ecosystem service. However, mangrove ecosystems have experienced a huge decline due to human activities and any rehabilitation and restoration efforts should be undertaken with careful planning to optimise their ecosystem service provision and to improve the success of these programs. The main objective of this study was to model a scenario specific to Southeast Asian mangrove distribution based on zonation, species, and coastal morphology, as well as the estimation of future aboveground biomass carbon content resulting from multiple scenarios of successful mangrove growth. This study provides the first assessment of the differences in the distribution of carbon content in a range of native mangrove species, as well as the relationship between the number of propagules, carbon content, mangrove species, and the percentage of living mangroves. The potential location for mangrove planting was dominated by zone 4 inundated by spring high tides, with a suitable area of 4,081,325 ha the next largest area was zone 2, inundated by medium high tides, with a potential area of 2,080,475 ha, followed by zone 3, inundated by normal high tides, with an area of 1,685,800 ha. This study is expected to serve as a reference for mangrove ecosystem conservation and optimisation of carbon storage, especially in Southeast Asia.