Blue carbon dynamics in mangroves and conservation of their services in the Coral Triangle Ecoregion, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Coral triangle eco-region is hotspot of coastal blue carbon, and contributes to the global carbon cycling. This study aimed to elucidate the blue carbon dynamics in mangroves and their importance services as source of blue carbon in the coastal zone of coral triangle ecoregion. The blue carbon content in mangrove sediment was analyzed, while blue carbon production and its export frommangroves leaf litterfallwasestimated. The results showed that the blue carbon content in mangrove sediment was significantly higher in deep of 40-50 cm than other layers(P< 0.05). The annual blue carbon production (g C/m²/year) was 495.80 for R. mucronata, 572.52 for C. tagal and 335.56 for R. apiculata. Moreover, the annual blue carbon exported g C/m²/year was 148.74 for R. mucronata, 171.76 for C. tagal and 100.68 R. apiculata. Overallcarbon production and carbon export from these mangrove species were 1403.88 and 421.18g C/m²/year, respectively.Therefore, huge blue carbon production and export by mangroves in this region contribute to the global carbon cycling in the coastal and marine environments. Thus, conservation of mangroves and their services is very important for maintenance the coastal productivity in the coral triangle eco-region.