Assessing the Impact of Degradation on Carbon Storage by Rhizophora racemosa in South-East Periphery of Azagny National Park (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

This study assesses the carbon sequestration capacity of Rhizophora racemosa in mangroves located on the southeastern periphery of Azagny National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. In the global context of combating climate change, mangroves, although they occupy a relatively small area, play a crucial role as carbon sinks. The methodology adopted is based on measurements of above-ground and below-ground biomass in several types of mangroves (conserved, degraded, slightly degraded and islands). These measurements were carried out using appropriate sampling plots and the allometric equation of Kauffman (2010). A total of 67 plots were established throughout the study area on a total area of 1517.97177 m2/ha. In this analysis, the data being quantitative values with several variables, the comparison of the average values of the different parameters measured in the biotopes was carried out either by an ANOVA test (Analysis of variance) or by a Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicate that conserved mangroves have the highest storage capacity, accounting 39% of the total carbon stock), followed by slightly degraded (30%), degraded (25%) and islands (6%) mangroves. The entire study area sequesters approximately 23,486.79 tCO₂/ha. These results show that mangrove degradation significantly reduces their carbon sequestration capacity, highlighting the importance of their conservation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.