Abstract Detail

Climate Change Solutions from Plant Science: The Interaction at the Interface between Terrestrial Ecosystems and Coastal Ecosystems for Carbon Storage

Lopez-Portillo, Jorge [1], Bravo Mendoza, Mariana [1], Lara Domí­nguez, Ana Laura [1], Méndez Linares, Patricia [2], Hernández Santana, José Ramón [2], Garcí­a Calva, Liliana [3], Golubov Figueroa, Jordan [3].

Mangrove Carbon Stocks from the Mexican Portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

Of the 764,000 ha of mangroves in Mexico, 87,500 ha are distributed along the Gulf of Mexico, mainly in coastal lagoons and estuaries in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Campeche. Published data concerning carbon stocks is scant, but taller trees are generally found in the southern states. Our data shows that belowground carbon stock ranges from 460 to 1230 Mg/ha (plus 10-20% due to aboveground vegetation, AGV) in Veracruz, and J.B. Kauffman and collaborators reported from 101 to 2001 Mg/ha (plus 3-58% AGV) in Tabasco. These data were encompass from relatively shallow to 5 m depths, depending on the geomorphologic setting. In general, deeper organic soils suggest longer permanence in the same site and we have dated 3-m deep organic fragments at 3870±30 YBP, with annual estimated sedimentation rates from 0.7 to 4 mm.  Although some extrapolations can be made concerning the relation between mangrove cover and carbon stocks in the Mexican section of the Gulf of Mexico, hard data is sorely needed in this ecosystem which, although legally protected, is under extreme risk. For example, carbon loss at 1 m depth due to conversion of mangroves to cattle grasslands was calculated as 1464 Mg CO₂e/ha (CO₂ equivalents per hectare) in Tabasco and 0.88-4.90 Mg CO₂e/ha in Veracruz due to interruption of water flow and hypersalinization in Tuxpan, Veracruz. Much less is known of carbon flux since no studies have been done on the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by using, for example, flux towers. However, litterfall is in the range of 5 to 20 Mg ha^-1 y^-1 and most of it is possibly quite important for other communities and ecosystems.

1 - Inecol -Xalapa, Xalapa, Vera Cruz, Mexico
2 - Instituto de Geografí­a, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
3 - Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, El Hombre y su Ambiente, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col Villa Quietud, Mexico City, Mexico City, 04960, Mexico

Keywords:
MExican mangrove carbon
Mangrove blue carbon
Gulf of MExico carbon
mangrove carbon stock
Vera Cruz mangrove carbon
Tabasco mangrove carbon
Campeche mangrove carbon.

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Session: SY10, Climate Change Solutions from Plant Science: The Interaction at the Interface between Terrestrial Ecosystems and Coastal Ecosystems for Carbon Storage
Location: Chatham Ballroom - B/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Time: 9:30 AM
Number: SY10004
Abstract ID:595
Candidate for Awards:None