The Dual Role of Carbon Sink Protected Areas in Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Reduction-Take Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve as an Example

Against the backdrop of accelerating global climate change, carbon sink protected areas like mangrove forests have attracted growing attention, as they can mitigate global warming while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity and livelihoods. This study focuses on a representative mangrove ecosystem in southern China to evaluate the outcomes of ecological restoration from the perspectives of carbon reduction and species protection. Using satellite remote sensing data, the study analyzed changes in mangrove coverage to estimate carbon sink potential. Simultaneously, bird monitoring records were reviewed to assess trends in biodiversity. The research investigates the impact of mangrove restoration on regional carbon storage and local biodiversity. Results show that the expansion of mangrove areas significantly increased carbon storage, while the abundance and diversity of indicator species increased. This synergistic effect amplifies the ecological benefits of carbon reduction and species protection, producing outcomes greater than the sum of their parts. The findings underscore the critical role of mangrove reserves in climate regulation and ecological recovery, and the potential of carbon sink protected areas as integrated solutions to climate and biodiversity crises.