Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics
Abstract Mangroves are considered one of the most productive ecosystems in the world with significant contributions as carbon sinks in the biosphere. Yet few attempts have been made to assess global patterns in mangrove net primary productivity, except for a few assumptions relating litterfall rates...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Ecosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2841 |
| _version_ | 1818009604404019200 |
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| author | Rafaela de Albuquerque Ribeiro André Scarlate Rovai Robert R. Twilley Edward Castañeda‐Moya |
| author_facet | Rafaela de Albuquerque Ribeiro André Scarlate Rovai Robert R. Twilley Edward Castañeda‐Moya |
| author_sort | Rafaela de Albuquerque Ribeiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mangroves are considered one of the most productive ecosystems in the world with significant contributions as carbon sinks in the biosphere. Yet few attempts have been made to assess global patterns in mangrove net primary productivity, except for a few assumptions relating litterfall rates to variation in latitude. We combined geophysical and climatic variables to predict mangrove litterfall rates at continental scale. On a per‐area basis, carbon flux in litterfall in the neotropics is estimated at 5 MgC·ha−1·yr−1, between 20% and 50% higher than previous estimates. Annual carbon fixed in mangrove litterfall in the neotropics is estimated at 11.5 TgC, which suggests that current global litterfall estimates extrapolated from mean reference values may have been underestimated by at least 5%. About 5.8 TgC of this total carbon fixed in the neotropics is exported to estuaries and coastal oceans, which is nearly 30% of global carbon export by tides. We provide the first attempt to quantify and map the spatial variability of carbon fixed in litterfall in mangrove forests at continental scale in response to geophysical and climatic environmental drivers. Our results strengthen the global carbon budget for coastal wetlands, providing blue carbon scientists and coastal policy makers with a more accurate representation of the potential of mangroves to offset carbon dioxide emissions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:43:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-722f90470a044c478a0c2def1f07a911 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-8925 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:43:50Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-722f90470a044c478a0c2def1f07a9112022-12-22T02:09:20ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252019-08-01108n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.2841Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropicsRafaela de Albuquerque Ribeiro0André Scarlate Rovai1Robert R. Twilley2Edward Castañeda‐Moya3Dipartimento di Biologia Università degli Studi di Firenze Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino Florence 50019 ItalyDepartment of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences College of the Coast and Environment Louisiana State University 3251 Energy, Coast, and Environment Building Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USADepartment of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences College of the Coast and Environment Louisiana State University 3251 Energy, Coast, and Environment Building Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USASoutheast Environmental Research Center (OE 148) Institute of the Water & Environment Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street Miami Florida 33199 USAAbstract Mangroves are considered one of the most productive ecosystems in the world with significant contributions as carbon sinks in the biosphere. Yet few attempts have been made to assess global patterns in mangrove net primary productivity, except for a few assumptions relating litterfall rates to variation in latitude. We combined geophysical and climatic variables to predict mangrove litterfall rates at continental scale. On a per‐area basis, carbon flux in litterfall in the neotropics is estimated at 5 MgC·ha−1·yr−1, between 20% and 50% higher than previous estimates. Annual carbon fixed in mangrove litterfall in the neotropics is estimated at 11.5 TgC, which suggests that current global litterfall estimates extrapolated from mean reference values may have been underestimated by at least 5%. About 5.8 TgC of this total carbon fixed in the neotropics is exported to estuaries and coastal oceans, which is nearly 30% of global carbon export by tides. We provide the first attempt to quantify and map the spatial variability of carbon fixed in litterfall in mangrove forests at continental scale in response to geophysical and climatic environmental drivers. Our results strengthen the global carbon budget for coastal wetlands, providing blue carbon scientists and coastal policy makers with a more accurate representation of the potential of mangroves to offset carbon dioxide emissions.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2841carbon budgetsclimate changelitterfallmacroecologymangrove primary productionneotropics |
| spellingShingle | Rafaela de Albuquerque Ribeiro André Scarlate Rovai Robert R. Twilley Edward Castañeda‐Moya Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics Ecosphere carbon budgets climate change litterfall macroecology mangrove primary production neotropics |
| title | Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| title_full | Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| title_fullStr | Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| title_short | Spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| title_sort | spatial variability of mangrove primary productivity in the neotropics |
| topic | carbon budgets climate change litterfall macroecology mangrove primary production neotropics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2841 |
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