<p>Pneumatophores in mangrove ecosystems can be of significant structure and biomass, and these tree parts are not included in the allometric equations of biomass for live trees. The present study assesses stand density and develops the allometric equations for the estimation of biomass and carbon stock of pneumatophores. The study also quantifies the relative contribution of pneumatophores’ carbon stock to other carbon pools in the mangrove ecosystem. Ninety representative samples of pneumatophores in the Puduveypu Mangrove ecosystem on the Southwest coast of India were harvested. The diameter, height and dry weight were measured, and regression analyses were carried out to construct the allometric equations. The carbon stocks in other carbon pools of the mangrove ecosystem were measured using standard methods. The study found that pneumatophore has a stand density of 4.12 million individuals/ha with an average biomass of 7.20 tonnes/ha and carbon content of 2.81 tonnes/ha. The best fit allometric equation was <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="11273_2025_10086_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="382" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\text{Biomass}=4.179\text{Diameter}+0.108\text{Height}-2.375,$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mtext>Biomass</mtext> <mo>=</mo> <mn>4.179</mn> <mrow /> <mo>∗</mo> <mtext>Diameter</mtext> <mo>+</mo> <mn>0.108</mn> <mrow /> <mo>∗</mo> <mtext>Height</mtext> <mo>-</mo> <mn>2.375</mn> <mo>,</mo> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> with a strong positive correlation (<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="11273_2025_10086_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="20" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="153" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">${\text{R}}^{2}=0.717;\text{p}<0.001$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <msup> <mrow> <mtext>R</mtext> </mrow> <mn>2</mn> </msup> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.717</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mtext>p</mtext> <mo><</mo> <mn>0.001</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>). The comparison of pneumatophores biomass to other carbon pools indicated that pneumatophores are a key carbon pool among the aboveground carbon pools; however, they contribute only a negligible fraction to the total carbon storage, as the largest fraction comes from belowground soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, pneumatophore’s critical role in trapping and stabilizing sediments and building soil structure is important in preserving the SOC. The study emphasizes that pneumatophores are important in the carbon sequestration process, support the storage of SOC, and help mitigate climate change.</p>

Development of allometric equations for pneumatophores in mangrove ecosystems for the assessment of blue carbon pools

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2025年9月8日

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Shijo Joseph,
Poochakkara Suresh Haritha,
Vishnupriya Thampi

摘要

Pneumatophores in mangrove ecosystems can be of significant structure and biomass, and these tree parts are not included in the allometric equations of biomass for live trees. The present study assesses stand density and develops the allometric equations for the estimation of biomass and carbon stock of pneumatophores. The study also quantifies the relative contribution of pneumatophores’ carbon stock to other carbon pools in the mangrove ecosystem. Ninety representative samples of pneumatophores in the Puduveypu Mangrove ecosystem on the Southwest coast of India were harvested. The diameter, height and dry weight were measured, and regression analyses were carried out to construct the allometric equations. The carbon stocks in other carbon pools of the mangrove ecosystem were measured using standard methods. The study found that pneumatophore has a stand density of 4.12 million individuals/ha with an average biomass of 7.20 tonnes/ha and carbon content of 2.81 tonnes/ha. The best fit allometric equation was $\text{Biomass}=4.179*\text{Diameter}+0.108*\text{Height}-2.375,$ $Biomass = 4.179 * Diameter + 0.108 * Height - 2.375,$ with a strong positive correlation ( ${\text{R}}^{2}=0.717;\text{p}<0.001$ $R^{2} = 0.717; p < 0.001$ ). The comparison of pneumatophores biomass to other carbon pools indicated that pneumatophores are a key carbon pool among the aboveground carbon pools; however, they contribute only a negligible fraction to the total carbon storage, as the largest fraction comes from belowground soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, pneumatophore’s critical role in trapping and stabilizing sediments and building soil structure is important in preserving the SOC. The study emphasizes that pneumatophores are important in the carbon sequestration process, support the storage of SOC, and help mitigate climate change.