Abstract
The alarming rate of the mangrove ecosystem loss poses a threat of losing valuable carbon sinks. This study was conducted to (i) determine the growth structure in different vegetation types and (ii) compare the aboveground biomass (AGB) and carbon storage in different vegetation types. The study was conducted at four vegetation types within the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta i.e., Matured Bakau-Berus Forest (MBBF), Bakau-Nipah Forest (BNF), Regenerating Forests (Debris pile) [RF-D], and Regenerating Forests (Machinery track) [RF-M]. Inventory plots (20 m × 20 m) are systematically located along the main waterways and smaller rivers/streams. Trees (≥ 5 cm diameter-at-breast height [DBH]), seedlings (< 2-cm stem diameter), and saplings (2–4.9-cm stem diameter) were measured. The trend of total trees per hectare is found to be decreasing across the least disturbed vegetation (MBBF) to the most disturbed vegetation (RF-M). The trends of total seedlings and saplings per hectare are found to be going upwards from the least disturbed vegetation to the most disturbed vegetation. Kruskal-Wallis H-test showed that there is a significant difference in the AGB and carbon storage between different vegetation types, χ2(2) = 43.98, p = 0.00 with the highest mean rank AGB and carbon storage in BNF (612.20 t/ha) and lowest in RF-M (287.85 t/ha). It can be concluded that although the most disturbed vegetations have higher regeneration, it may not contribute to the forest’s carbon storage The naturally regenerated seedlings may not grow beyond the sapling stage unless sustainable forest management is conducted to ensure survivability and growth.
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Acknowledgements
We thank our colleagues from Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), UNIMAS, and WWF-Malaysia who have greatly assisted the study. We would also like to show our gratitude to the “anonymous” reviewers for their so-called insights.
Funding
This project is funded by WWF-Singapore under the Mangrove and Dolphin Conservation in Rajang-Belawai-Paloh project.
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Tonga Noweg—Main author, project leader.
Julia Nelson—Data collection, data analysis, writing manuscript.
Lip H.M. —Funding, proofreading.
Yeo Shu Jun—Funding, proofreading.
Alfred Keleman—Data collection.
Bridgette Philip—Data collection, proofreading.
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Noweg, T., Nelson, J., Lip, .M. et al. High regeneration may not contribute to the forest’s carbon storage: a case study in the mangrove forest of Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta, Sarawak. Environ Monit Assess 196, 15 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12191-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12191-9