Rodríguez-Reales Rodrigo, Gómez Juan Pablo, Bohórquez-Herrera Jimena, Martínez-Habibe María Cristina
Chemistry and Biology Department, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia.
Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Biology Program , Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 6;15(1):28684. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10278-6.
Mangrove forests are known for their exceptional carbon storage capacity, but the influence of environmental factors on this service remains understudied. This study examines how environmental conditions shape tree community composition and carbon storage in Mallorquin Swamp, an urban mangrove ecosystem in Barranquilla, Colombia. We assessed tree composition, vegetation structure, soil pH, and salinity across 18 circular plots in areas of Low, Medium, and High salinity. Above ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock were estimated using allometric equations and wood density databases. Our findings revealed significant salinity differences among sampling areas, especially during the dry season, while soil pH showed minimal variation. Avicennia germinans was dominant in Low salinity areas, Laguncularia racemosa in Medium salinity areas, and Rhizophora mangle in High salinity areas. Trees in Low salinity zones were notably taller and larger, contributing to significantly higher carbon stock (4098.6 Mg C) compared to Medium (104.6 Mg C) and High (1761 Mg C) salinity areas. These results underscore the importance of local environmental factors, particularly salinity, in shaping mangrove structure and carbon dynamics. Identifying such patterns is vital for guiding conservation efforts and carbon policies, particularly in urban and climate-sensitive areas, where focused management can strengthen mangrove resilience and carbon storage.
红树林以其卓越的碳储存能力而闻名，但环境因素对这项功能的影响仍未得到充分研究。本研究考察了环境条件如何塑造哥伦比亚巴兰基亚一个城市红树林生态系统——马约尔金沼泽地的树木群落组成和碳储存。我们评估了低盐度、中盐度和高盐度区域内18个圆形样地的树木组成、植被结构、土壤pH值和盐度。利用异速生长方程和木材密度数据库估算地上生物量（AGB）和碳储量。我们的研究结果显示，各采样区域之间存在显著的盐度差异，尤其是在旱季，而土壤pH值变化极小。白骨壤在低盐度区域占主导地位，拉贡木在中盐度区域占主导地位，红树在高盐度区域占主导地位。低盐度区域的树木明显更高、更大，与中盐度（104.6 Mg C）和高盐度（1761 Mg C）区域相比，其碳储量显著更高（4098.6 Mg C）。这些结果强调了当地环境因素，特别是盐度，在塑造红树林结构和碳动态方面的重要性。识别这些模式对于指导保护工作和碳政策至关重要，特别是在城市和气候敏感地区，针对性的管理可以增强红树林的恢复力和碳储存能力。
