Journals Information
Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 13(3), pp. 348 - 357
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130304
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Blue Carbon Unveiled: Carbon Stock Quantification in Rizal Mangrove Forest, Zamboanga Del Norte, Philippines
Mark Joseph J. Buncag 1,2,*, Habagat G. Mariano 1,2, Niaranme M. Bucar 1, Amerah M. Abdulbashet 1, Ricmar P. Magarin 1, Yhebron J. Lagud 2,3, Mark Arcebal K. Naive 3,4
1 College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State University - Main Campus, Philippines
2 National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), Philippines
3 Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Tampilisan Campus, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
4 Center for Integrative Conservation & Yunnan Key Laboratory for the Conservation of Tropical Rainforests and Asian Elephants, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
ABSTRACT
Mangroves have been acknowledged for reducing climate change through carbon sequestration; however, little is known about carbon storage of mangroves. This study estimated the carbon stock in the aboveground biomass and belowground carbon of mangrove in Nasipang, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte. It employed line quadrat to determine the species composition, and carbon stock. DBH and total height were measured to quantify the aboveground carbon stock of the mangroves using species-specific biomass equations. Samples of soils at four different depths were collected to quantify the belowground soil organic carbon. The carbon component of living trees was calculated by multiplying the biomass (kg) of each tree by the carbon conversion factor for the region's mangrove species. The study recorded 10 species belonging to five families. Results showed that the estimated total aboveground biomass of the mangrove is 253.47 Mg/ha-1 equivalent to the aboveground total carbon stock which is 114.06 Mg C/ha-1. A higher amount of soil organic carbon content was found in depth 50- 100 cm with 568.98 Mg C/ha in which there was a large gap between this depth and depth 0-15 cm (174.55 Mg C/ha), 15-30 cm (170.04 Mg C/ha), and 30-50 cm (228.78 Mg C/ha). The quantified belowground soil organic carbon has an average of 285.58 Mg C/ha. The overall amount of soil organic carbon, both above and belowground, is 399.64 Mg C/ha. This baseline information indicates that the area has the capacity to store and sequester significant quantities of carbon, even with low biodiversity; therefore, it is essential to prioritize and strengthen mangrove protection and conservation efforts.
KEYWORDS
Aboveground Biomass, Species-Specific Biomass Equations, Carbon Stock
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Mark Joseph J. Buncag , Habagat G. Mariano , Niaranme M. Bucar , Amerah M. Abdulbashet , Ricmar P. Magarin , Yhebron J. Lagud , Mark Arcebal K. Naive , "Blue Carbon Unveiled: Carbon Stock Quantification in Rizal Mangrove Forest, Zamboanga Del Norte, Philippines," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 348 - 357, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130304.
(b). APA Format:
Mark Joseph J. Buncag , Habagat G. Mariano , Niaranme M. Bucar , Amerah M. Abdulbashet , Ricmar P. Magarin , Yhebron J. Lagud , Mark Arcebal K. Naive (2025). Blue Carbon Unveiled: Carbon Stock Quantification in Rizal Mangrove Forest, Zamboanga Del Norte, Philippines. Environment and Ecology Research, 13(3), 348 - 357. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130304.