Mangroves and Blue Carbon: Importance for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Abstract Mangrove forests are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth and play a critical role in climate change mitigation through long-term carbon sequestration, particularly within their waterlogged soils. Together with seagrasses and tidal salt marshes, mangroves form part of the “blue carbon” ecosystem complex, which stores and accumulates large quantities of organic carbon over millennial timescales. However, rapid degradation and conversion of mangroves for aquaculture, agriculture, and coastal development have resulted in substantial greenhouse gas emissions. This review synthesizes current scientific knowledge on mangrove blue carbon, including carbon stocks and sequestration mechanisms, global distribution, emissions from land-use change, measurement methodologies, restoration potential, and policy relevance. The review highlights the importance of mangrove conservation as a cost-effective nature-based solution for climate change mitigation while emphasizing remaining scientific and governance challenges. Keywords: Mangrove forests; mangrove plant species; biodiversity inventory; true mangroves and associates; species composition; Cambodia; coastal ecosystems; conservation priorities; floristic surveys; mangrove restoration