Assessing carbon accumulation in mangroves in the coastal area of Ca Mau cape, Ca Mau province

Abstract

Mangrove forests growing in coastal areas play an important role in carbon sequestration and storage. The amount of carbon stored in mangrove ecosystems varies, depending on many different factors. The aim of this study is to survey the species composition of mangrove plants in the coastal area of Ca Mau cape, Ca Mau province and assess the distribution of carbon stocks relative to the distance from the sea edge. The study established 30 quadrats (10 m x 10 m), located at distances of 0 m, 50 m, 100 m, 200 m and 500 m from the sea edge. The results determined 7 species of woody plants belonging to 4 families. The study results also estimated the amount of carbon in above-ground biomass ranging from 72.81±29.03 tons/ha to 124.49±40.59 tons/ha, and in below-ground biomass ranging from 32.89±13.71 tons/ha to 50.92±18.09 tons/ha. The highest soil carbon content was in the area 500 m from the sea edge, averaging about 45.69±4.26 tons/ha (0-20 cm layer) and 104.34±8.80 tons/ha (20-60 cm layer). The study contributes to providing data for assessing forest carbon stocks, a scientific basis for the management and development of mangrove ecosystems.