Blue carbon stored in the mangrove forests of the north Pacific in Nicaragua

Abstract

The mangrove is among the most important ecosystems on the planet, due to the multiple ecosystem goods and services it provides. This research assesses the amount of blue carbon stored in the mangrove forests of the North Pacific in Nicaragua. A total of 178 plots were established in six mangrove systems (Puerto Sandino, Juan Venado Island Natural Reserve, Corinto, Aserradores, Padre Ramos Natural Reserve, and Potosí). Diversity, abundance, total height, and diameter at breast height were recorded. Subsequently, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and organic carbon stored in the soil were calculated using volumetric techniques. Satellite images from the Sentinel 2B sensor (15 x 15 m) were downloaded to calculate the normalized difference vegetation Index. An exponential regression was performed using the total biomass and the normalized difference vegetation Index, from which blue carbon maps were created by multiplying the result by the conversion factor of 0.475. The value of blue carbon stored in the soil was added to the result. The most abundant species was Rhizophora spp, except on Juan Venado Island where Avicennia germinans prevailed, and Laguncularia racemosa in Potosí. The greatest height and diameter at breast height were identified in the Potosí area, followed by Juan Venado Island. There is a significant difference (p<0.05) in the heights of the five recorded species. A total of 20 810.6 ha of mangrove were identified in the six systems studied. Potosí had the highest total biomass value at 220.9 Mg ha^-1. The total carbon sink for the Pacific in Nicaragua is 3 254 613.1 Mg C (mega grams of carbon). Annually, the mangrove in the study area has the potential to capture approximately 104 052.8 Mg C.