Carbon sequestration in mangrove ecosystems: Sources, transportation pathways, influencing factors, and its role in the carbon budget
Journal
Earth-Science Reviews
Journal Volume
269
Start Page
105184
ISSN
0012-8252
Date Issued
2025-10
Author(s)
Ali, Shafiqa
Dey, Gobinda
Nuong, Nguyen Hoang Kim
Rahman, Abdur
Wang, Liang-Chi
Sukul, Uttara
Das, Koyeli
Sharma, Raju Kumar
Chen, Chien Yen
Abstract
Global efforts to mitigate climate change emphasize the critical need to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels and enhance carbon sinks. Mangrove ecosystems, renowned for their substantial carbon sequestration capacity, play a vital role in sequestering significant amounts of carbon. This review explores carbon fluxes in mangrove ecosystems, emphasizing autochthonous and allochthonous carbon sequestration mechanisms. Specifically, it discusses the pathways through which carbon is absorbed and stored, including biological productivity, sediment accumulation, and carbonate precipitation. Furthermore, the role of microbial communities and root systems in carbon stabilization, nutrient cycling, and methane oxidation is also examined, highlighting their significance in enhancing sequestration efficiency. Moreover, this study evaluates the factors influencing carbon sequestration efficiency in mangroves and the methods used for its quantification. Finally, this review assesses the contribution of mangroves to the global carbon budget, emphasizing their strategic role in offsetting atmospheric CO2 and enhancing coastal ecosystem resilience. However, significant research gaps remain in understanding the mechanism of carbon transformation, the interaction between diverse carbon sources, sediment dynamics, and long-term stability of buried organic matter across varying mangrove settings.
Subjects
Allochthonous carbon
Autochthonous carbon
Carbon budget
Climate change
Inorganic carbon
Mangrove ecosystems
Organic carbon
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
review article