Global patterns in mangrove soil carbon stocks and losses

Abstract

Mangrove soils represent a large sink for otherwise rapidly recycled carbon (C). However, widespread deforestation threatens the preservation of this important C stock. It is therefore imperative that global patterns in mangrove soil C stocks and their susceptibility to remineralization are understood. Here, we present patterns in mangrove soil C stocks across hemispheres, latitudes, countries and mangrove community compositions, and estimate potential annual CO2 emissions for countries where mangroves occur. Global potential CO2 emissions from soils as a result of mangrove loss were estimated to be similar to 7.0 Tg CO(2)e yr(-1). Countries with the highest potential CO2 emissions from soils are Indonesia (3,410 Gg CO(2)e yr(-1)) and Malaysia (1,288 Gg CO(2)e yr(-1)). The patterns described serve as a baseline by which countries can assess their mangrove soil C stocks and potential emissions from mangrove deforestation.