Carbon stock unveils the capacity of mangrove resilience at Sungai Pulai (Johor), Malaysia

Mangrove forests are critical blue carbon ecosystems, yet their carbon stocks are influenced by both natural growth and human disturbance. This study presents one of the first comprehensive evaluations of tree structural parameters (density, basal area) and biomass carbon across a disturbance gradient in the Sungai Pulai Forest Reserve, Johor in Malaysia. Six sites were surveyed, ranging from undisturbed upstream (Sungai Redan) to downstream areas affected by infrastructure development, using 10 × 10 m plots along 100m transects. Rhizophora apiculata dominated most sites, while Bruguiera cylindrica, Ceriops tagal, and Xylocarpus granatum were less frequent. Carbon stocks did not vary markedly with disturbance, suggesting resilience and comparable sequestration potential across the sites. Interspecific variation was evident, with Sonneratia and Avicennia spp. storing the highest per-tree carbon due to their large trunk diameter and basal area characteristics. These species-specific differences underscore the importance of maintaining diversity and structural integrity. Our findings provide valuable baseline data for national blue carbon accounting and conservation planning. In order to safeguard the climate mitigation role of Sungai Pulai, further clearing of mangroves must be avoided, and management activities should focus on long-term monitoring to detect subtle ecological changes over time.

Text 126397.pdf - Published Version Download (971kB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/3618

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