Spatial and landscape-scale variability in global mangrove soil carbon estimates
Abstract
Accurate global mangrove soil carbon estimates are essential, considering the critical role mangroves play in the coastal carbon cycle. However, current global estimates vary widely, ranging from 2.26 to 10.2 Pg C. Large uncertainties in carbon stocks can be challenging for effective policymaking and inaccurately estimate climate mitigation potential. Here, we identify factors driving spatial and landscape variability by comparing five global mangrove soil carbon stock models. Using the ensemble mean, we generate a global soil carbon stock estimate of 4.13 ± 0.89 Pg C (to 1 m depth). Significant (P < 0.001) spatial variability occurred in Africa and Asia, with high standard deviation between models and limited data representation. High standard deviation occurred in specific geomorphic settings, including terrigenous, deltaic, carbonate and open coasts, within microtidal sites and regions of low and high species diversity. Our findings can help guide future research and reduce uncertainties in carbon stock estimates.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.