Mangrove wetlands are among the most productive and carbon-dense ecosystems in the world. Their structural attributes vary considerably across spatial scales, yielding large uncertainties in regional and global estimates of carbon stocks. Here, we present a global analysis of mangrove canopy height gradients and aboveground carbon stocks based on remotely sensed measurements and field data. Our study highlights that precipitation, temperature and cyclone frequency explain 74% of the global trends in maximum canopy height, with other geophysical factors influencing the observed variability at local and regional scales. We find the tallest mangrove forests in Gabon, equatorial Africa, where stands attain 62.8 m. The total global mangrove carbon stock (above- and belowground biomass, and soil) is estimated at 5.03 Pg, with a quarter of this value stored in Indonesia. Our analysis implies sensitivity of mangrove structure to climate change, and offers a baseline to monitor national and regional trends in mangrove carbon stocks.
1.CALTECH, Jet Prop Lab, Radar Sci & Engn Sect, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA 2.NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Biospher Sci Lab, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA 3.Univ Sherbrooke, Dept Appl Geomat, Sherbrooke, PQ, Canada 4.Lousiana State Univ, Coll Coast & Environm, Dept Oceanog & Coastal Sci, Baton Rouge, LA USA 5.Florida Int Univ, Southeast Environm Res Ctr, Miami, FL 33199 USA 6.Univ Maryland, Earth Syst Sci Interdisciplinary Ctr, College Pk, MD 20742 USA
Recommended Citation:
Simard, Marc,Fatoyinbo, Lola,Smetanka, Charlotte,et al. Mangrove canopy height globally related to precipitation, temperature and cyclone frequency[J]. NATURE GEOSCIENCE,2019-01-01,12(1):40-+