Environmental Studies and Forestry

Mangrove reforestation provides greater blue carbon benefit than afforestation for mitigating global climate change

S. Song, Y. Ding, et al.

This groundbreaking study conducted by Shanshan Song and colleagues revealed that reforestation of mangroves has a significantly higher carbon storage potential compared to afforestation. By prioritizing reforestation, we can enhance global CO2-eq sequestration by 60% over 40 years, making it a vital strategy in climate change mitigation efforts.

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Abstract

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.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Feb 10, 2023

Authors

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

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