Tree species composition and above ground tree biomass estimationMrumba E. John
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Carbon dynamics in mangrove ecosystems of Andaman Islands: A living laboratory for studying natural disturbance and ecological succession
1. Carbon Dynamics in Mangrove
Ecosystems of Andaman Islands:
A living laboratory for studying natural disturbance and
ecological succession Rupesh Bhomia
25 July, 2023
2. Outline
• Context – What, Where
• Motivation – Why
• Process – How, When
• Outputs – Preliminary Results
• Status – Ongoing and Next Steps
Acknowledgements: Wildlife Institute of India,
US Forest Service, and funding support from
USAID.
3. CONTEXT
• Indian Coastline ~ 7500 km, but
mangroves exist in few areas.
• Indian mangroves extent = 4,975
km2, which is ~ 3.6% of global
mangrove vegetation and 0.15% of
country’s geographical area.
• Mangroves in Andaman (614 km2)
and Nicobar (2 km2) Islands (ANI)
cover an area of 616 km2.
• ANI have a tropical to subtropical
climate - temp range –summer (27–
33oC) and winter (21–25oC), annual
rainfall ~ 3000–3500 mm. https://www.globalmangrovewatch.org/country/IND
4. CONTEXT
• Mangroves in Andaman and Nicobar
are best in terms of density and growth
in the country.
• Different from other areas in India, and
therefore experience different set of
pressures, drivers, and bio geomorphic
influences.
• Unique biodiversity value due to
endemic flora and fauna.
• High levels of Vegetation C stock
estimated for ANI (Ragavan et al, 2021).
5. In 2004 coastal geomorphology of ANI
changed drastically due to an Earthquake and
resulted in subsidence (~ 2.85 m) and uplift
(~ 1.35 m) in different parts of the island.
WHY
Porwal et al. 2012
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/vertical-movement-
seafloor-2004-sumatra-andaman-earthquake
Uplift (U)
Subsided (S)
Control (C)
6. • Sudden change in elevation impacted tidal regime
causing vast mangrove mortality (sudden and gradual).
• Ecosystem response and vegetation shift over time-
Succession trajectories.
• Impact on above and below ground carbon stocks.
WHY
Photo:
Nehru
Prabakaran
Source : Kayanne et al, 2007
7. • Coastal Vulnerability and Resilience by
developing vulnerability indices (CVI and MVI).
• Ecosystem Carbon Stocks assessment across
the uplift and subsidence gradients – CIFOR’s
mangrove protocol (Kauffman and Donato, 2012).
• Understanding sediment accretion rates to
predict future vulnerability (rSETS).
• Determination of local hydrodynamics – Water
depth and salinity at high resolution.
HOW
11. RESULTS
• Mean Tree density was highest in control sites (1288 ± 218/ha) followed by subsided (937 ±
155/ha) and uplifted sites (777 ± 149/ha).
• Vegetation species richness per site in tree cohort was mostly comparable across three
categories. Highest in Subsided (4.38 ± 0.15), Uplifter (4.20 ± 0.23), and Control (3.63 ±
0.07).
Tree Density Species Richness
16. Data Logger (Outputs)
DL1 – close to creek, High flooding
Rhizophora patch
DL3 – farther from creek, higher ground
Avicennia patch
Ongoing and Next Steps
18. Ongoing and Next Steps
• Measurement of sediment accretion rates (rSETs)
• Lead 210 radionuclide tracer from soil cores at these
locations
• Total Carbon stocks estimates (belowground veg + Soils)
• Water Depth and Salinity (high temporal resolution) data to
pair with vegetation characteristics
• Soil microbial community assessment (uplifted sites).
• Vulnerability assessment and other modelling products
• Training and capacity building (Local institutions, Forest Dept,
Young Researchers
19. cifor-icraf.org | globallandscapesforum.org | resilient-landscapes.org
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable
world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for
all. CIFOR and ICRAF are CGIAR Research Centers.
Thank you!