Planted mangroves capture significant carbon, study shows

A new study finds that planted mangroves can store up to 73 percent of the carbon that naturally occurring mangroves hold, based on 40 years of data.

Alexa Robles-Gil reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• Planted mangroves, in 20 years, can accumulate about 73 percent of the carbon stocks of natural mangroves.
• The study analyzed 684 sites globally, offering a comprehensive look at the carbon storage potential of restored mangroves.
• Mangrove restoration is essential but must be done correctly to be effective in carbon sequestration.

Key quote:

“If it’s successful, then yes, you can get 75 percent of the carbon stocks of a natural forest. If you do it unsuccessfully, you get zero.”

— Daniel Friess, coastal scientist at Tulane University

Why this matters:

Planted mangroves could be a vital tool in combating climate change by storing significant amounts of carbon. However, restoration projects must be carefully managed to achieve their potential benefits.