This study integrated data from over 370 mangrove restoration sites worldwide to compare the blue carbon benefits of reforestation (re-establishing mangroves in previously colonized areas) and afforestation (establishing mangroves in new areas). Results showed that reforestation had greater carbon storage potential per hectare due to favorable intertidal positioning, higher nitrogen availability, and lower salinity. Reforestation of all feasible areas in deforested mangrove regions could sequester 60% more CO2-eq globally over 40 years than afforestation. Therefore, mangrove reforestation should be prioritized in nature-based climate change mitigation solutions.

Shanshan Song, Yali Ding, Wei Li, Yuchen Meng, Jian Zhou, Ruikun Gou, Conghe Zhang, Shengbin Ye, Neil Saintilan, Ken W. Krauss, Stephen Crooks, Shuguo Lv, Guanghui Lin