Carbon storage in the branchless trunk of red mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. in the mangroves of the Gulf of Mexico

Resumen

Objective: To estimate the aboveground biomass and carbon storage of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) within a designated conservation area. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data were collected from 24 monitoring sites within the UMA, using 30 × 10 meter plots. Measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height were taken for Avicennia germinans individuals to estimate aboveground biomass via allometric equations. Simulations and correlation analyses were performed using Wolfram Mathematica® software.

Results: Aboveground biomass varied considerably across sites, ranging from 4.23 Mg·ha⁻¹ at the lowest to 53.88 Mg·ha⁻¹ at the highest, with an overall average of 10.64 Mg·ha⁻¹. The mean carbon storage was 5.09 MgC·ha⁻¹. The modeling approach yielded a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.991984), indicating strong predictive accuracy and good model fit.

Study Limitations/Implications: The analysis was limited to carbon stored in the trunk, excluding other key compartments such as roots, foliage, and soil, which are important contributors to total carbon sequestration in mangrove ecosystems.

Findings/Conclusions: The red mangrove population in the ejido “La Solución Somos Todos” demonstrates meaningful carbon storage capacity, though values are lower compared to similar studies in other regions. The strength of the model and the reliability of the estimates underscore the importance of continued research on mangrove carbon dynamics. These findings can support targeted conservation and restoration strategies, reinforcing the role of mangroves in climate change mitigation.