Carbon Fluxes and Stocks by Mexican Tropical Forested Wetland Soils: A Critical Review of Its Role for Climate Change Mitigation

Sergio Zamora, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Gastón Ballut-Dajud, Oscar Andrés Del Ángel-Coronel, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres and José Luis Marín-Muñiz
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Sergio Zamora: Faculty of Engineering, construction and Habitat, Universidad Veracruzana Bv. Adolfo Ruíz Cortines 455, Costa Verde, Boca del Rio C.P., Veracruz 94294, Mexico
Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo: Division of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Innovation, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Misantla, Veracruz C.P., Misantla 93821, Mexico
Gastón Ballut-Dajud: Division of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Innovation, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Misantla, Veracruz C.P., Misantla 93821, Mexico
Oscar Andrés Del Ángel-Coronel: Tecnológico Nacional de México/InstitutoTecnológico Superior de Huatusco, Programa de Maestría en Ingeniería, AV. 25 Poniente N° 100, Col Reserva Territorial, Huatusco, Veracruz 94100, Mexico
Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres: Division of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Innovation, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Misantla, Veracruz C.P., Misantla 93821, Mexico
José Luis Marín-Muñiz: Academy of Sustainability and Regional Development, El Colegio de Veracruz, Xalapa, Veracruz 91000, Mexico

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: Wetland soils are important stores of soil carbon (C) in the biosphere, and play an important role in global carbon cycles in the response strategy to climate change. However, there areknowledge gaps in our understanding of the quantity and distribution in tropical regions. Specifically, Mexican wetlands have not been considered in global carbon budgets or carbon balances for a number of reasons, such as: (1) the lack of data, (2) Spanish publications have not been selected, or (3) because such balances are mainly made in the English language. This study analyzes the literature regarding carbon stocks, sequestration and fluxes in Mexican forested wetlands (Forest-W). Soil carbon stocks of 8, 24.5 and 40.1 kg cm −2 were detected for flooded palms, mangroves, and freshwater or swamps (FW) wetland soils, respectively, indicating that FW soils are the Forest-W with more potential for carbon sinks ( p = 0.023), compared to mangroves and flooded palm soils. While these assessments of carbon sequestration were ranged from 36 to 920 g-C m −2 year −1 , C emitted as methane was also tabulated (0.6–196 g-C m −2 year −1 ). Subtracting the C emitted of the C sequestered, 318.2 g-C m −2 year −1 were obtained. Such data revealed that Forest-W function is mainly as carbon sink, and not C source. This review can help to inform practitioners in future decisions regarding sustainable projects, restoration, conservation or creation of wetlands. Finally, it is concluded that Forest-W could be key ecosystems in strategies addressing the mitigation of climate change through carbon storage. However, new studies in this research line and public policies that protect these essential carbon sinks are necessary in order to, hopefully, elaborate global models to make more accurate predictions about future climate.

Keywords: forested wetlands; carbon pool; ecosystem services; carbon sequestration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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