Mangrove reforestation provides greater blue carbon benefit than afforestation for mitigating global climate change

Shanshan Song, Yali Ding (), Wei Li (), Yuchen Meng, Jian Zhou, Ruikun Gou, Conghe Zhang, Shengbin Ye, Neil Saintilan, Ken W. Krauss, Stephen Crooks, Shuguo Lv and Guanghui Lin ()
Additional contact information
Shanshan Song: Tsinghua University
Yali Ding: Tsinghua University
Wei Li: Tsinghua University
Yuchen Meng: Tsinghua University
Jian Zhou: Tsinghua University
Ruikun Gou: Tsinghua University
Conghe Zhang: Tsinghua University
Shengbin Ye: Tsinghua University
Neil Saintilan: Macquarie University
Ken W. Krauss: U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Stephen Crooks: Silvestrum Climate Associates LLC
Shuguo Lv: Hainan Academy of Environmental Sciences
Guanghui Lin: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Significant efforts have been invested to restore mangrove forests worldwide through reforestation and afforestation. However, blue carbon benefit has not been compared between these two silvicultural pathways at the global scale. Here, we integrated results from direct field measurements of over 370 restoration sites around the world to show that mangrove reforestation (reestablishing mangroves where they previously colonized) had a greater carbon storage potential per hectare than afforestation (establishing mangroves where not previously mangrove). Greater carbon accumulation was mainly attributed to favorable intertidal positioning, higher nitrogen availability, and lower salinity at most reforestation sites. Reforestation of all physically feasible areas in the deforested mangrove regions of the world could promote the uptake of 671.5–688.8 Tg CO2-eq globally over a 40-year period, 60% more than afforesting the same global area on tidal flats (more marginal sites). Along with avoiding conflicts of habitat conversion, mangrove reforestation should be given priority when designing nature-based solutions for mitigating global climate change.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36477-1

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