The Carbon Stock Accounting of Mangroves under the Family Rhizophoraceae and Avicenniaceae in Calatagan, Batangas: A Blue Carbon Initiative Towards Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Carbon stock accounting is becoming a popular blue carbon initiative around the world in response to climate change. Climate change and global warming happen due to greater amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in promoting biodiversity and mitigating climate change impact by sinks of atmospheric carbon. Calatagan, Batangas, Verde Island Passage, Philippines has a huge potential for carbon sink development because of its rich biodiversity. Biodiversity of mangroves and carbon sequestration estimation can be a very good consideration in conservation planning to help lessen the impact of climate change. The researchers in collaboration with PALITAKAN (Pro-mangrove Alliance Implementing Team and Arms as Kilitisan's Advocate of Nature) conducted this research to calculate and determine the carbon sequestration of mangroves.

METHODS

The study utilized descriptive research design. This research investigated and accounted the carbon stock by mangrove forest. A reconnaissance survey of the growth parameters of mangrove was conducted to determine the GBH (Girth Breast Height), height and the crown cover in the four (4) standard 10m x 10m transect plots. Total biomass and carbon equivalent were computed based on the growth parameters using allometric equations. Carbon dioxide equivalent was computed using CO2 factor based from the biomass of the mangrove trees.

RESULTS

The data was run through the Paleontological Statistics (PAST) software version 3.14. Results revealed that FamilyAvicenniaceaehas high carbon stock compared to FamilyRhizophoraceae. It was supported by the computed t-value of 10.6378 which is higher compared to the critical value of 1.9790.

DISCUSSIONS

From these results, management and conservation of species under Family Avicenniaceae should be strengthened while those species under Family Rhizophoraceae must be reinforced towards propagation of its density. This also suggests that blue carbon initiatives and accounting must be considered in mangrove management planning towards sustainable management of mangroves.