Characterization and evaluation of mangrove carbon (Ivory Coast)

Forest degradation is one of the causes of climate change. Given the importance of mangrove forests on ecosystem services and the lack of information on the carbon storage capacity of these ecosystems in Côte d'Ivoire, the objective of this study was to fill the information gaps. The results showed that these lagoon mangroves are exposed to invasive plants such as Eichornia crassipes, Pitia stratiotes, Nymphaea lotus and Acrostichum aureum. Indeed, the carbon stock assessment in the mangroves of Anna, characterized by the coastal habitat, is equivalent to 12.33 ± 15.21 tC / ha. In Eloka-To, the mangroves record a carbon stock of about 32.69 ± 39.46 tC / ha. These results compared to other ecosystems show a low storage capacity of the mangroves studied to that of large undisturbed mangrove ecosystems. Thus, it becomes urgent to take measures for the safeguard of the Ivorian mangroves.