Assessment of Mangrove Carbon Stocks in Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of Congo (RoC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Including their Potential for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) - The Land/Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone of West and Central Africa - page 182

1,520 ± 164 Mg/ha with 982 Mg/ha (or 65 %) in the
belowground component (soils and roots) and 538 Mg/ha
(35.0 %) in the aboveground biomass. In moderately
exploited mangrove ecosystems, 91.7 % of total ecosystem
carbon was found in the soil component. These figures are
higher than other studies around the world (Indo-Pacific and
Mexico), but given the gigantic nature of these trees (up to
50 m high and 1 m diameter), and the large alluvial
deposits in the soils from the River Congo, this is certainly
possible. Using conservative estimates, we estimate that
1,300 Mg of carbon dioxide would be released per ha of
cleared pristine mangrove in Central Africa. These esti-
mates were made using the carbon values collected in the
field in Central Africa. A recent report estimates that
771 km 2 of mangrove were cleared in Central Africa
between 2000 and 2010 (UNEP-WCMC 2012 ), equating to
estimated emissions of 100,152,000 Mg of carbon dioxide,
although of course this carbon dioxide would be emitted
over a time span of decades. Therefore, the mangroves of
Central Africa could be among the most carbon-rich eco-
systems in the world, and of value for climate change
mitigation internationally.
Continuous monitoring through mangrove permanent
plot systems would improve the quality of the data. Regular
re-measurement of permanent mangrove forest plots would
allow the gauging of not only dynamics of carbon but also
general mangrove ecosystem dynamics (growth, mortality,
recruitment) for carbon and other Payment for Ecosystem
Services initiatives, as well as for providing baselines for
REDD+ strategies in the region. More allometric studies for
African mangroves would further improve the quality of the
data and would allow the development of location and
species-specific equations. Data collection can also be
improved by the strengthening of existing networks and
partnerships such as the African Mangrove Network.
REDD+ strategies can incentivize and support conser-
vation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement
of forest carbon stocks. Strengthening the existing networks
(African Mangrove Network, the East African Mangrove
Network, etc.) can generate a large-scale impact of man-
grove forest protection and restoration initiatives through
reforestation and sustainable management techniques as
well as building capacities in various domains of mangrove
conservation and sustainable management. Sustainable
forest management practices to reduce mangrove defores-
tation can address some of the main causes of deforestation
in the region, notably wood for fish smoking and also
growing urbanization. To reduce use of wood for fish
smoking, improved technology for fish-smoking stoves
could be introduced that would generate more heat and
energy

ensuring that mangrove protection is integrated into coastal
and marine protected area networks that are properly
enforced and policed. The network of mangrove and marine
protected areas could include seaward extensions of exist-
ing coastal parks in order to conserve biodiversity and in
order for mangroves to fully provide their role as hatcheries
and nursery grounds for aquatic fauna, as well as shoreline
protection against erosion and storms. The results showing
the high value of mangroves in this chapter are not only
relevant to planning of networks of marine protected areas,
but also to all integrated coastal and marine spatial plan-
ning. Information of the high value of ecosystem services
provided by mangroves can be integrated into spatial
planning exercises; for example so that conservation targets
for ecosystem services for local communities can be
determined and planned for. This could improve the well-
being of communities in the area that benefit from the
ecosystem services provided by mangroves.
Overall, this chapter provides a case for the inclusion of
mangroves in national REDD+ strategies given their high
carbon value, and also the levels of threat to the ecosystem
and the associated rates of loss in the region. We hope that it
can serve as a baseline study for future carbon market or
climate change mitigation strategies, as well as providing
evidence for the high value of mangrove ecosystems. Fur-
thermore, it points to the mangroves of Central Africa being
an exceptional ecosystem on a global scale, with higher
carbon stocks measured here than in other mangroves or
even adjacent rainforests.

Acknowledgments This project was implemented by the Cameroon
Wildlife Conservation Society (CWCS) and the World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (WCMC),with financial and technical support from
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United
Nations programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation (UN-REDD), and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries
Research Institute (KMFRI). The authors are indebted to all those who
assisted the project by providing information, support and facilities
especially: Constant ALLOGO (CARPE, IUCN Gabon); Bernard
Henri VOUBOU, UNDP, Gabon; Léandre M EBOBOLA Ministry of
Forests & Water, Gabon; Mme Marie AYITO, Director of Aquatic
Ecosystems, Gabon; FélicienJoël BODINGA, Deputy Director of
Aquatic Ecosystems, Gabon; Dr Emmanuel ONDO ASSOUMOU,
Geography Department, Omar Bongo University, Gabon; Germain
KOMBO, Jean Felix ISSANG, Marcel MPOUNZA, UNDP,
Congo; MFOUTOU Gaston, Ministry of Sustainable Development,
Forests Economy and Environment, Congo; Jerôme MOKOKO, WCS-
Congo; Jean Pierre KOMBO, Focal Point of Abidjan Convention,
Congo; Akenzenee OGNIMBA, Ministry of Sustainable Development,
Forests Economy and Environment, Congo; Pierre Justin MAKOSSO,
Mairie de PN; Jean Simplice MADINGOU, Department of Forestry,
Congo; Antoine BITA, Department of Environment, Congo; Roland
Missilou BOUKAKA, Conservator Conkouati-Douli National Park;
Basile NIAMATELE, Conkouati-Douli National Park, Congo; Vin-
cent KASULU SEYA MAKONGA, Ministry of Environment, Con-
servation of Nature and Tourism, DRC; CosmaB. WILUNGULA,
Director of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN),
DRC;

from less wood, thus decreasing consumption.

Deforestation from urbanization could be reduced by

COLLET Mangrove Marine Park, DRC;Urbain ASANZI,