Borbhuyan et al. (2026): Wetland Type Matters: Tree Community Structure and Carbon Sequestration Dynamics Along a Tropical River Basin

Samim Borbhuyan, Nirjhar Das, Kasturi Chakraborty, Kamini Kanta Sarma, Dibyendu Adhikari and Tapati Das, IN:Environmental Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-026-02496-z

Wetlands are among the most productive and ecologically significant ecosystems on the earth, offering a broad spectrum of ecosystem services including water purification, flood regulation, habitat provision, and climate regulation. In light of current global climate challenges, their capacity for carbon storage has become increasingly important, positioning wetlands as key components in climate change mitigation strategies. This study attempts a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of different types of tropical wetlands to ecological diversity and carbon dynamics. The findings of this study aim to inform climate action, support conservation planning, and strengthen local livelihoods. In the longer term, the study underscores the importance of tropical wetlands in regional and global carbon cycling, with clear relevance for wetland conservation and climate policy. For this study, the authors selected three morphologically and hydrologically distinct wetlands, namely, Fulbari Anua (oxbow lake, OL), Bakri Haor (floodplain wetland, FPW), and Sone Beel (perennial wetland, PW) in the Barak basin of Assam, northeast India, within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Tree individuals were randomly sampled from both the aquatic zone (permanently inundated areas) and the riparian zone (seasonally flooded margins) of the selected wetlands. Comparison of the tree community composition across different wetland types revealed a total of 30 tree species representing 18 families.

LINK⁠