Blue carbon sequestration potential of mangroves in kachchh region, gujarat

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems play a key role in global carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, acting as blue carbon sinks with long-term storage capabilities (Bertram et al., 2021

Macreadie et al., 2021). They store carbon in both above-ground biomass and below-ground sediment, making them more effective than terrestrial forests in long term sequestration (Alongi, 2020). Despite their ecological and economic significance, mangroves in Kachchh, Gujarat, face threats from industrial expansion, land-use changes, salinity intrusion, and governance gaps (Guru & Aravind, 2015

Mehta et al., 2019

Mehta & Srivastava, 2019

Thivakaran, 2017

Thivakaran et al., 2003). The study identifies the global focus on blue carbon initiatives and challenges posed by land-use change, particularly the limited integration of blue carbon ecosystems into national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and governance frameworks. It highlights the lack of a unified blue carbon policy, inconsistent carbon accounting methods, and financial constraints in large-scale afforestation efforts. The study’s core research questions focus on temporal changes in mangrove cover, the impact of conservation and restoration scenarios on carbon sequestration, and policy measures required for sustainable land-use planning.