Evaluation du stock de carbone organique des sédiments des mangroves du Morondava

Mangroves, found in tropical and subtropical regions, are known to accumulate and store significant amounts of organic carbon in their sediments. This study focuses on the evaluation of soil organic carbon in the mangroves of Morondava, located in the southwestern part of Madagascar. The methodology employed in this study followed the protocol established by Kauffman and Donato in 2012. Soil samples were collected from 25 paired intact and degraded plots, with a total of 999 samples analyzed. The soil carbon content was estimated using the Loss on Ignition (LOI) and Walkley and Black (WB) methods, combined with Mean Infrared Spectrometry (MIRS). The results showed that the sediment of Morondava mangroves presented an average stock of 549.16 ± 15.27 MgC/ha by LOI and 609.59 ± 17.44 MgC/ha by WB. The stock of soil organic carbon varied significantly with soil depth, with higher values observed in the deeper layers. However, no significant difference in soil organic carbon stock was demonstrated according to the forest degradation status. Notably, the carbon stock from the two methods showed a significant difference, highlighting the importance of using multiple methods to estimate soil organic carbon. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the role of mangrove ecosystems in sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change. The results also have implications for the management and conservation of mangrove ecosystems, highlighting the need for sustainable land-use practices that balance human needs with the preservation of these valuable ecosystems. The study's methodology and results are significant in the context of Madagascar's mangrove ecosystems, which are facing threats from deforestation, land conversion, and climate change. The evaluation of soil organic carbon in these ecosystems provides valuable information for policymakers, conservationists, and researchers working to protect and restore these critical ecosystems. The study's findings also have broader implications for the global effort to mitigate climate change. Mangroves are recognized as one of the most carbon-dense ecosystems on the planet, and their conservation and restoration are critical for achieving global climate change mitigation targets. The results of this study highlight the importance of continued research and monitoring of soil organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems, as well as the need for effective conservation and management strategies to protect these valuable ecosystems. In conclusion, the evaluation of soil organic carbon in the mangroves of Morondava provides valuable insights into the role of these ecosystems in mitigating climate change. The study's findings highlight the importance of using multiple methods to estimate soil organic carbon and the need for sustainable land-use practices that balance human needs with the preservation of these critical ecosystems.