Raw et al. (2023): Blue carbon sinks in South Africa and the need for restoration to enhance carbon sequestration

J.L. Raw, L. Van Niekerk, O. Chauke, H. Mbatha, T. Riddin, J.B. Adams IN: Science of The Total Environment Vol 859, Part 1, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160142

This study reports the first national estimates of: 1) total carbon storage, 2) CO₂ emissions from anthropogenic activities, 3) the potential for restoration to enhance carbon sequestration for blue carbon ecosystems in South Africa. Mangrove ecosystems have the greatest carbon storage per unit area (253–534 Mg C ha⁻¹), followed by salt marshes (100–199 Mg C ha⁻¹) and seagrasses (45–144 Mg C ha⁻¹). Salt marshes are the most extensive and contribute 67 % to the national carbon stock of 4000 Gg C.

LINK