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Carbon Stocks Assessment in a Disturbed and Undisturbed Mangrove Forest in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Adotey

    (Centre for Coastal Management, Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana)

  • Emmanuel Acheampong

    (Centre for Coastal Management, Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
    Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana)

  • Denis Worlanyo Aheto

    (Centre for Coastal Management, Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
    Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana)

  • John Blay

    (Centre for Coastal Management, Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana)

Abstract

Mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems have long been recognised for their carbon sink function, yet the organic carbon stocks of mangroves in many countries in Africa remain to be assessed. This study evaluates the impact of traditional forest conservation on long-term carbon sequestration in a non-degraded (Amanzule) and a degraded (Kakum) mangrove forest system in Ghana (West Africa). The amount of carbon stored in mangrove trees was estimated from diameter-based allometric equations. Tree (above- and below-ground) carbon was ~34-fold higher in the Amanzule forest (mean = 0.89 ± 0.10 t/ha) than in the Kakum forest (mean = 0.026 ± 0.019 t/ha). Soil carbon density was estimated as organic carbon and bulk density at specific depths in both forests. Soil organic carbon density was ~5-fold higher in the Amanzule forest (mean = 2935.79 ± 266 t/ha) than the Kakum forest (mean = 554.01 ± 83 t/ha). The variation in the vertical distribution of soil carbon was not significant in either forest ( F = 0.57; p > 0.05). These findings underscore the role of traditional conservation on mangrove carbon stocks and the need to consider the governance of coastal ecosystems when estimating blue carbon.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Adotey & Emmanuel Acheampong & Denis Worlanyo Aheto & John Blay, 2022. "Carbon Stocks Assessment in a Disturbed and Undisturbed Mangrove Forest in Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12782-:d:935799
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Setondé Constant Gnansounou & Kolawolé Valère Salako & Alberta Ama Sagoe & Precious Agbeko Dzorgbe Mattah & Denis Worlanyo Aheto & Romain Glèlè Kakaï, 2022. "Mangrove Ecosystem Services, Associated Threats and Implications for Wellbeing in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Togo-Benin), West-Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Matthew L. Kirwan & J. Patrick Megonigal, 2013. "Tidal wetland stability in the face of human impacts and sea-level rise," Nature, Nature, vol. 504(7478), pages 53-60, December.
    4. Asante, Winston A. & Acheampong, Emmanuel & Boateng, Kyereh & Adda, Jacob, 2017. "The implications of land tenure and ownership regimes on sustainable mangrove management and conservation in two Ramsar sites in Ghana," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(P1), pages 65-75.
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    6. Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson & Heidi J. Albers & Charles Meshack & Razack B. Lokina, 2013. "Implementing REDD through community‐based forest management: Lessons from Tanzania," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 37(3), pages 141-152, August.
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