Calculating CO2 from mangrove restoration
Mangrove trees are one of the most effective and verified methods of offsetting carbon emissions. Each mangrove tree planted through our reforestation project removes over 308kg (680lbs) of CO2 from the atmosphere over the growth life of the tree. This calculates to an average of 12.3kg per year per tree.
Scientific studies have shown that Mangroves “sequester carbon at a rate two to four times greater than mature tropical forests”, and contain “the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems.” (Fatoyinbo et al, 2017). The key to mangroves is the large amounts of biomass stored underground in the extensive root system. These roots support the large trees in muddy coastal areas where mangroves thrive.
CO2 calculations for our project
Based on the studies cited above, The Mangroves for Coastal Resiliience has established a benchmark of 840 metric tons (t) of Carbon (C) per hectare of mature mangrove forest. This is based on an average tree growth life of 25 years. From this number, we can calculate the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere and turned into plant biomass per hectare of forest and estimate the amount of CO2 sequestered per tree based on the growth life and planting density.
References
Fatoyinbo T, Feliciano E., Lagomasiano D, Lee S K, Trettin C (2017) Estimating Mangrove Aboveground Biomass from Airborne Lidar Data: A Case Study from the Zambezi River Delta
Donato D, Kauffman J B, Murdiyarso D, Kurnianto S, Stidham M, Kanninen M (2011) Mangroves among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. Nature Geoscience NGEO1123
Komiyama A, Ong J E, Poungparn S (2008) Allometry, biomass, and productivity of mangroveforests: A review. Aquatic Botany 89.
