Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks of Mangroves in Lamu, Kenya; and Their Potential Contributions to the Climate Change Agenda in the Country

A study estimates that mangroves in Lamu, Kenya, store approximately 20 million metric tons of carbon, with southern swamps exhibiting significantly higher carbon densities. The research, conducted across 191 plots, measured above- and below-ground carbon pools, including soil organic carbon (SOC), to assess the ecosystem's potential contributions to climate change mitigation. Between 1990 and 2019, at least 1,739 hectares of mangroves were lost due to anthropogenic activities, resulting in an estimated annual emission of 30,840.1 metric tons of CO2e. The economic value of avoiding these emissions is calculated at US$308,401 per year, with additional co-benefits such as fishery functions and shoreline protection. Integrating mangroves into national climate agendas could enhance Kenya's progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

Kairo, J., Mbatha, A., Murithi, M. M., & Mungai, F. (2021). Total Ecosystem Carbon Stocks of Mangroves in Lamu, Kenya; and Their Potential Contributions to the Climate Change Agenda in the Country. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2021.709227