Potential Mitigation Effect of Mangrove Forest on Global Climate Change through its Carbon Storage Capacity

Abstract

The role of mangrove ecosystem in carbon storage is recognized in many tropical countries across the globe and Guyana is one of the key areas with significant forest coverage. This research was carried out at study sites located in coastal region of Guyana with the objectives; quantification of aboveground biomass and the respective carbon storage of three mangroves species in Guyana, prediction of the future carbon storage capacity in mangrove species in Guyana and justification on the importance of conservation and restoration of mangrove forests towards climate change mitigation in Guyana. The results from all the regions indicated that the two species (R. mangle and A. germinans) have greater aboveground carbon stock capacity (481 Mg ha^-1) which can aborb carbon dioxide released from various sources within Guyana. The total forest coverage of Guyana is 18.57 million hectare (mha) containing over 5 giga tonnes (gt) of carbon in aboveground biomass. Total coverage of mangrove forest in Guyana is 22632.4 ha and estimated aboveground carbon locked by this ecosystem is 0.016 gt, which is equivalent to 0.059 gt of CO₂. This is significant taking into consideration the coastal locations of robust and dynamic mangrove ecosystem. Recently the phenomenon of global warming has generated interest in understanding the carbon stock capacity of mangrove species. The results of this study support mangrove reforestation and afforestation in the coastal zone of Guyana. The present study led to understanding of the carbon stored in the mangrove forest and its relevance in carbon dioxide trapping in the forest stands. Such relationship establishes the foundation in holistic approach to mangrove restoration and climate change prevention strategy for Guyana