Valuation and Estimation of Carbon Stocks and Sequestration Potential of Mangroves in the Ahanta West District of Ghana

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This research was conducted to present an inventory of the mangrove carbon stocks and their estimated monetary value in two communities in the Greater Cape Three Points (GCTP) area of Western Ghana – Princess Town and Cape Three Points, in support of national mangrove conservation efforts. The assessment, which was conducted on three mangrove ecosystems in the study area– Nyan River estuary (38.11 ha) and Ehunli lagoon (17.54 ha) in Princess Town, and the rocky bay in Cape Three Points (1.26 ha). It estimated carbon stored in the systems at 291.96 ± 96.69 MgC/ha, 407.68 ± 131.62 MgC/ha, and 395.95 ± 127.61 MgC/ha respectively. Carbon sequestered by each of the systems was estimated at 41,836 Mg/CO 2 e for the Nyan estuary mangrove system, 26,886.66 Mg/CO 2 e for the Enhuli lagoon mangrove system, and 1,875.85 Mg/CO 2 e for the rocky bay mangrove system – at a carbon market value of US $ 12,0167.23 MgCO₂e/ha, US $ 77,227.64 MgCO₂e, and US $ 5388.09 MgCO₂e, respectively. The Enhuli Lagoon mangrove ecosystem which provides a sanctuary for monkeys and is traditionally protected by cultural norms, recorded the highest carbon storage amount. Results of the assessment inferred that all three ecosystems sequestered high amounts of carbon, emphasizing their important role as carbon sinks. The systems were also observed to be in a near-pristine state, providing a wide range of ecosystem services, both directly and indirectly, to support human well-being. Conservation Biology Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Introduction In the current era of climate change – evidenced by concerning records of temperature rise, changing weather patterns, melting ice sheets, and sea-level rise, the global community is in active pursuit of effective solutions to mitigate and adapt to these changes[ 1 ]. At the core of solutions sought to address climate change is the reduction of greenhouse gases. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is leading the charge, which encourages countries to contribute to the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed sustainably [ 2 ]. Through the legally binding international treaty on climate change (the Paris Agreement) – adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) under the auspices of the UNFCCC, countries have developed action plans in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to help meet the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), which constitute actions that protect, restore, and manage natural ecosystems to help address climate change, are a significant element in at least 66% of the Paris Agreement signatory countries’ NDCs [ 3 ]. Mangrove forests are crucial natural ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, demonstrating their significant contribution to nature-based solutions to addressing the impacts of climate change. Mangroves can capture, transform, and store carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into coastal sediments for extended periods, displacing organic carbon from the coastal zone to the offshores and the ocean. They are known to sequester carbon 2–4 times greater than mature tropical forests and contain the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems [ 4 ]. Mangroves also help in mitigating the impact of tropical storms, hurricanes, coastal erosion, and tidal waves. Mangrove conservation thus presents an important means for addressing the challenges related to climate change. Mangroves are however among the most vulnerable ecosystems in the world, with a global projection of more than half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse by 2050 [ 3 ]. The phenomenon of mangrove deforestation is a significant contributor to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 12–15% of these emissions [ 5 ] In Ghana, mangroves estimated to span approximately 181 square kilometres [ 6 ], are appraised to decline at a rate of 8.1 km 2 per annum due to over-cutting, land conversion, wildfires, pollution, and natural death from disease [ 6 ]. Under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) program, Ghana developed a strategy (2016–2035) for articulating measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation (MESTI, 2021; UNEP & UNDP,2019). The strategy identifies “Emission Reductions Programme for Coastal Mangroves” among programmes that require further analysis and consideration for REDD + implementation. Other regional and national initiatives including the World Bank-funded West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2), the Regenerative Development of Anlo Wetlands (ReDAW) Project, the Community Mangrove Restoration Project at the Muni Pomadze Ramsar Site, and the PAPBio Mangrove Project in the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site, demonstrate important strides to advance the conservation of mangroves in Ghana. That notwithstanding, a clear pathway for integrating mangrove ecosystems in national climate change mitigation actions is still lacking. A holistic understanding of mangrove cover across the country, their carbon stocks, and the ecosystem services they provide locally will facilitate the better harnessing of their role in addressing climate change in Ghana. In this paper, we discuss the assessment conducted on three mangrove ecosystems in the Ahanta West district of Western Ghana as presented in Fig. 2 . Our primary objectives were to i) describe the mangrove forest stand of the area; ii) estimate the total carbon stocks in the three mangrove ecosystems; and iii) estimate the monetary value of the carbon stocks they hold. The methodology employed in this study provides a framework for evaluating mangrove carbon stocks and their economic value. We recommend similar assessments to be extended to other mangrove ecosystems in Ghana to develop a comprehensive national mangrove inventory. Methods Sampling Design and Data Collection The assessment was conducted from February to April 2018. A one-time measurement of mangrove carbon parameters was performed in the period, following a sampling design adapted from Kauffman and Donato (2012)[ 8 ] to describe the mangrove forest composition, biomass, and carbon pools in the different systems. A global positioning system (GPS) was used to determine the coordinates of the sites, plots, and soil sampling locations. A stratified systematic sampling technique was applied, where two parallel transects were laid perpendicular to the water’s edge. The first transect (T1) was set at the shoreline, up to 10 meters landward. The second transect (T2) was set 5 meters perpendicular to T1, also extending up to 10 meters landward (see Fig. 3 ). A rectangular plot design was adopted for ease of access to the plots and prevention of community interference in the demarcated sites (due to walk paths within the mangrove systems). This was done to reduce disturbances and intrusion from the community members into the sampling site. One-hectare (10,000 m 2 ) sampling plots were demarcated for each of the mangrove ecosystems understudied. Within each plot, ten subplots, of an area of 100 m 2 (10m by 10 m) each were demarcated using a measuring tape and ribbons. The subplots, demarcated along two transect lines, were spaced 10 m perpendicular to the shoreline and 5 m parallel to the shoreline from each other. Within each sub-plot, mangrove trees with stems ≥ 2 cm were sampled to ensure that the trees measured reflected the most ecologically significant contributors to the ecosystem’s biomass and carbon storage capacity [ 8 ]. As trees grow, their biomass increases disproportionately to their diameter. Larger trees store much more biomass than smaller trees, and including trees with a diameter of less than 2 cm would disproportionately inflate the number of trees without substantially increasing the overall biomass value (Kauffman & Donato, 2012). In any forest ecosystem, including mangrove forests, larger trees with diameters ≥ 2 cm contribute the most to above-ground biomass (AGB). The biomass of a tree increases exponentially as the diameter of the tree increases. Smaller trees (those with a stem diameter < 2 cm) contribute very little to total biomass compared to larger trees, and therefore, they would have a negligible effect on the overall biomass estimate. Following Kauffman and Donato’s protocol in 2012, we focused on trees with stems ≥ 2 cm to ensure that the trees measured reflected the most ecologically significant contributors to the ecosystem’s biomass and carbon storage capacity. The different species found within the plot were identified, counted, and recorded. The diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree was measured using a tape measure and Vernier callipers where appropriate and also recorded [ 5 ][ 9 ]. Soil samples were obtained using a soil corer [ 10 ], designed and manufactured locally following protocols from Kauffman and Donato (2012)[ 8 ], with openings at 10cm intervals along the entire length of the corer. Two soil corer samples were obtained at random locations within each subplot to analyse soil carbon stocks. To obtain the soil samples, the corer as seen in was steadily inserted vertically into the soil until the top of the sampler was at a level with the soil surface. At a depth of 100 cm, the corer was twisted in a clockwise direction a few times to cut through any remaining fine roots. The corer was pulled gently out of the soil while continuing to twist it, to retrieve the soil sample. For each corer sample, two sub-samples were collected at a depth of 15cm to find an average for topsoil and two soil samples at 85cm to find an average for bottom soil (see Fig. 4 ). Soil subsamples of 20 cm 3 each were obtained at 20 cm and 90 cm lengths of the corer to represent two depth classes of the soil profile (0–30 cm and 80–100cm) [ 8 ]. The samples were placed in labelled zip lock bags and transferred to the laboratory for analyses of soil carbon content. Data Analysis The biomass of live trees and their equivalent below-ground biomass were calculated using published allometric equations adapted from [ 11 ] as follows: Aboveground living biomass, Wtop = 0.251pD 2.46 , where p (0.83) is specific wood density and D is the diameter at breast height. The biomass of trees in each subplot was summed to obtain the total biomass in Mg per plot (1 Mg = 1 metric ton). Carbon stock equivalent = Wtop X 0.46 [ 12 ]. Belowground living biomass, Wbg = 0.199p0.899D 2.22 , where p (0.6) is specific wood density and D is the diameter at breast height. The belowground biomass values of trees in each subplot were summed to obtain the total biomass in Mg per plot (1 Mg = 1 metric ton). Carbon stock equivalent = Wbg X 0.39 [ 12 ], [ 13 ] To accurately measure the soil carbon pool, three parameters were quantified - Soil depth; Soil bulk density; and Organic carbon concentration. In the laboratory, the soil samples were dispensed onto a pre-weighed Petri dish and oven-dried to a constant mass at 105°C to determine the bulk density of the samples [ 14 ]. The Loss on Ignition (LOI) method was used to determine soil organic matter [ 15 ] Following this method, soil samples were subjected to combustion at a high temperature of 550°C for 4 hours [ 16 ]. The dry bulk density, D bd (gcm -3 ) of the soil samples was estimated as: oven-dry sample mass (g) / sample volume (m 3 ) Loss on ignition (%LOI) was estimated as: %LOI = \(\:\frac{\text{d}\text{r}\text{y}\:\text{m}\text{a}\text{s}\text{s}\:\text{b}\text{e}\text{f}\text{o}\text{r}\text{e}\:\text{s}\text{o}\text{i}\text{l}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{m}\text{b}\text{u}\text{s}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\:\left(\text{m}\text{g}\right)-\:\text{d}\text{r}\text{y}\:\text{m}\text{a}\text{s}\text{s}\:\text{a}\text{f}\text{t}\text{e}\text{r}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{m}\text{b}\text{u}\text{s}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\:\left(\text{m}\text{g}\right)}{\text{d}\text{r}\text{y}\:\text{m}\text{a}\text{s}\text{s}\:\text{b}\text{e}\text{f}\text{o}\text{r}\text{e}\:\text{s}\text{o}\text{i}\text{l}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{m}\text{b}\text{u}\text{s}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\:\left(\text{m}\text{g}\right)}\) X 100 The soil organic carbon carbon (%C org ) was estimated as: \(\:\text{%}\text{C}\text{o}\text{r}\text{g}=\:0.415\:\text{*}\:\text{%}\text{L}\text{O}\text{I}\:+\:2.89\:\) Soil carbon, SC (Mgha -1 ) was finally calculated as: bulk density (gcm -3 ) * Soil depth interval (cm) * %C org (expressed as a whole number) The total organic carbon stock (or density) of each of the mangrove systems was determined by adding all of the component pools in the system as follows: Total carbon stock, TOC (Mg ha-1) of plots = C treeAG + C treeBG + C soil , where C treeAG = above-ground carbon pools of trees; C treeBG = below-ground tree carbon pool; and C soil is the total soil carbon pool [ 12 ]. Essentially, TOC provides a snapshot of the carbon stored within the mangrove ecosystem, while Carbon measurements capture the ongoing exchange of carbon with the atmosphere. Both are important for a complete understanding of mangrove carbon cycling, but TOC is often the primary focus for assessing carbon storage potential and long-term impacts [ 17 ] The carbon dioxide equivalent was used as a proxy for carbon sequestered by the mangroves under study. Carbon sequestration is the long-term storage of CO 2 or other forms of carbon to mitigate or defer global warming and avoid dangerous climate change. The total potential CO 2 sequestered per hectare (Mg CO 2 /ha) was estimated as the total carbon stock multiplied by a conversion factor of 3.67 [ 12 ]. According to the World Bank, the carbon market price for Sub-Saharan countries stands at a value of $10.8/tCO₂e [ 18 ]. This value is utilised in South Africa’s established carbon trading market. Using this value as a proxy, we estimated the market price for the mangrove forests in the study area as: Economic value = A * B, where A = Total amount of carbon stored in the site (area of mangrove * carbon storage of mangrove) and B = unit price of carbon ($10.8/tCO₂e) [ 18 ] Results and Discussion Species Composition of Mangrove Trees in the Study Area Two species of mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa ) were recorded within the study site. Rhizophora mangle dominated the research area, with 640 trees/ha recorded for the lagoon system, 300 trees/ha recorded for the estuary system and 570 trees/ha recorded for the rocky bay system. No Laguncularia racemosa was recorded for the lagoon system, however, the estuary system recorded 110 trees/ha and the rocky bay system recorded 190 trees/ha. In 2016, [ 19 ]. recorded three mangrove species around the Nyan estuary – Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemose. In this study, however, two species were encountered; Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa as shown in Fig. 4 . This could be due to differences in sampling area extent. The sampling of mangrove trees for this study was restricted to the banks of the estuary. Mangrove Trees Size Composition The mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of the trees recorded in each of the 3 systems depicted a generally healthy mangrove forest with averagely mature Rhizophora mangle trees and averagely smaller Laguncularia racemosa trees in the area. The Rhizophora mangle trees in the lagoon system recorded the highest mean dbh of 13.86 ± 1.05 (standard error) cm, followed by the rocky bay system at 12.51 ± 1.36 (standard error) cm, and the estuary system at 9.68 ± 0.58 (standard error) cm. Comparing with the maximum dbh for mature trees reported at 10 cm from literature [ 8 ], it was concluded that R.mangle trees in the area were averagely mature. In addition, Laguncularia racemosa trees in the rocky bay system recorded the highest mean dbh of 6.13 ± 1.27 (standard error) cm, followed by the estuary system at 4.65 ± 0.52 cm, presenting relatively smaller trees in the area. The mangroves assessed in the study area were considered nearly pristine since exploitation rates observed in the area were low due to no market demand placed on them as in the case in other coastal areas in Ghana [ 19 ]. The mangroves in Princess Town particularly were observed to provide key socio-economic benefits to the community members (especially women and children who make their livelihoods from shellfish harvesting). Periwinkles, crabs, clams, and oysters were among the commercially important resources harvested from the mangroves [ 7 ]. Mangroves at the Enhuli Lagoon were protected by traditional rules because of their spiritual value and for that reason, monkeys reside permanently in the trees, creating an opportunity for monkey sightings to be developed as a tourist activity in the area. This potentially explains the reason for the nearly pristine status of the mangroves in the area. Carbon Stored and Sequestered by the Mangroves As presented in Table 1 , the lagoon mangrove system recorded the highest amount of carbon stored at 407.68 ± 131.62 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,532.88 MgCO₂e/ha), followed by the rocky bay mangrove system at 395.95 ± 127.61 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,488.77 MgCO₂e/ha), and the estuarine mangrove system at 291.96 ± 96.69 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,097.77 MgCO₂e/ha). Table 1 Carbon stored and sequestered in the 3 mangrove systems assessed Mangrove system (area) Aboveground Carbon stocks (MgC/ha) Belowground Carbon stocks (MgC/ha) Soil Carbon stocks (MgC/ha) Total Carbon stored per hectare (MgC/ha) Carbon stored in the entire system (MgC/area) Total Carbon Sequestered in the entire system (Mg/CO2e/area) Economic value of carbon (US$/MgCO₂e/area) Estuary (38.11 ha) 0.94 ± 0.28 0.32 ± 0.09 290.7 ± 17.78 291.96 ± 96.69 11,126.60 41,836.00 120,167.2 Lagoon (17.54 ha) 6.66 ± 2.31 1.91 ± 0.63 399.11 ± 23.89 407.68 ± 131.62 7,150.71 26,886.66 77,227.64 Rockybay (1.26 ha) 6.89 ± 2.64 1.87 ± 0.66 387.19 ± 30.47 395.95 ± 127.61 498.897 1,875.85 5,388.088 The three mangrove systems assessed in the GCTP area were observed to be generally in good condition and fairly undisturbed by community harvesting practices. Comparing the amount of carbon sequestered by mangroves of the Indo-Pacific region, which were recorded to be among the highest carbon pools of any forest type—ranging between 2,074 and 4,621 MgCO2e/ha [ 8 ]—the study ranked the GCTP area medium for carbon sequestration. The study highlights the importance of protecting these mangroves to prevent indiscriminate cutting for development and other future purposes. Even though the area assessed was relatively smaller, the levels of carbon stocks recorded signify the climate mitigation potential of the mangrove ecosystems. Estimated Value of Carbon in the Greater Cape Three Points Area The market value of carbon sequestered by the Nyan estuary, Enhuli lagoon, and Rocky Bay mangrove systems was estimated at US$120,167.23/MgCO₂e/ha/yr, US$77,227.64/MgCO₂e/ha/yr, and US$5388.09/MgCO₂e/ha/yr respectively. Accurate carbon estimates in Ghana's forests can demonstrate the potential for emissions reductions through REDD + and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) activities [ 20 ], allowing for financial compensation from developed nations or private entities. These estimates help identify areas where REDD + and CDM interventions can have the most significant impact, allowing for targeted conservation efforts in forests with the highest carbon storage potential [ 21 ]. Carbon values also inform benefit-sharing mechanisms within REDD + projects, ensuring fair compensation for communities involved in forest conservation (Edinburg University, 2013). Accurate estimates of carbon stocks are essential for developing REDD + and CDM projects that can generate tradable carbon credits, representing the verified amount of carbon dioxide emission reductions achieved by the project [ 21 ]. The estimated value of carbon stored in a forest directly influences the price of the corresponding carbon credits, potentially generating greater revenue for Ghana from carbon trading [ 22 ]. However, challenges include the accuracy of estimates, monitoring costs, and market fluctuations [ 23 ]. Overestimations could lead to undeserved payments, while underestimations could undervalue the true contribution of the country's forests [ 22 ]. Overall, estimated carbon values are a powerful tool for Ghana to secure financial resources for forest conservation through REDD + and CDM and participate in the global carbon market through carbon trading. Recommendations and Conclusion The findings of the assessment underscore the critical role of mangrove ecosystems as significant carbon sinks with substantial potential to contribute to climate change mitigation. The nearly pristine mangrove forests in the GCTP area, with their significant carbon stocks and sequestration capacity, highlight the importance of prioritizing their conservation and integration into Ghana’s national climate strategies. The high carbon sequestration potential of mangroves warrants their inclusion as a key component of Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This can strengthen the country’s position in global climate negotiations and attract funding for nature-based solutions. It is also relevant to establish a robust framework for monetizing the carbon sequestration potential of mangroves through carbon trading schemes like the REDD + and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to generate revenue for conservation efforts and incentivize community participation. Local community engagement and traditional practices, such as the cultural norms protecting the Ehunli lagoon mangroves, should be leveraged to develop sustainable management models that balance conservation with the livelihoods of local populations. We recommend that in areas where mangrove trees are harvested indiscriminately, community-based management structures should be supported to develop effective mechanisms for protecting mangrove ecosystems. Awareness programs should be implemented to educate stakeholders, including policymakers and local communities, on the ecological and economic importance of mangroves. These campaigns can foster support for conservation initiatives. In conclusion, even within a mangrove forest covering as small as the study area, valuable insights can be gained. They are highly effective carbon sinks, storing up to five times more carbon per hectare than inland tropical forests, primarily in their soil. This efficiency underscores the significant role even small mangrove areas play in carbon sequestration efforts. The mangrove ecosystems in the Greater Cape Three Points area possess significant carbon storage and sequestration capabilities that are invaluable for mitigating climate change. By integrating these ecosystems into national climate action plans and leveraging their economic potential, Ghana can make significant strides in achieving its climate objectives while supporting sustainable development. Immediate and collaborative efforts among government agencies, local communities, and international partners are essential to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations. Research Limitations The assessment was conducted on three carbon pools within each of the mangrove systems - aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and soil carbon, which could lead to an underestimation of the total carbon stock within the mangrove ecosystems. Due to the underdevelopment of robust carbon credit systems in Ghana and the Sub-region, a carbon market value established for South Africa was used as a proxy to estimate the economic value of carbon sequestered by the mangrove ecosystems in the study. This could potentially undervalue or overvalue the area understudied. Declarations Competing Interest Authors Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe received research support in the form of accomodation, transportation and data collection from the United States Agency for International Funding Authors Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe received research support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Project. Grant number IFT No. CR/UCC/CS/0009/2019. Authors Contribution All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe commented on previous versions of the manuscript. She read and approved the final manuscript. Data Availability The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. References Abbass K, Qasim MZ, Song H, Murshed M, Mahmood H, Younis I (2022) A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29(28):42539–42559. 10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6 S. and C. O. (UNESCO) United Nations Educational, Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, vol. 23, no. 2, p. (1994) 1994 Slobodian, Badoz, Tangled Roots and Changing Tides (2019). [Online]. 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Ecol Econ 70(11):1900–1907. 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.02.003 Bhullar L (2013) REDD + and the legal regime of mangroves, peatlands and other wetlands: ASEAN and the world REDD + and the Clean Development Mechanism: A Comparative Perspective, Int. J. Rural Law Policy, vol. 3, no. 4, p. 8, [Online]. Available: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/case- Moussa MC-D, Blimpo P (2019) Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa Stenek V, Amado J-C, Greenall D (2013) Enabling Environment for Private Sector Adaptation. Enabling Environ Priv Sect Adapt. 10.1596/26121 Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Supplementary Files Annex.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6279895","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":432258561,"identity":"cfa0f3c1-4810-497b-b2b0-9ad21b5cd9fb","order_by":0,"name":"Richmond Korang","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABBklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZgY2EMXYwAPhy0EokKAEkVqMCWthQNOS2EBIi3k787NHNyruyDbwHD724eeO2vQNxw8/YPhQdphBProBqxaZw2zmxjlnnhk38LYlz+w9czx3w5k0A8YZ5w4zGN45gFWLBDMPm3Ru2+HEBn4eYwbetmO5G27wMDDztgG1zEggrIXxb9uxdAOQlr9EaeHtMQYaXpMA1sII1CIvgUsLm5l0zpnDxm08x5KZZdsOGM4E+uVgz7l0HgNcWvgPP5POqTgs28+TfJjxbVudPN/xww8f/CizlpPH4TA4YINQh8HkASDmMTiAXwcM1CGY8g3EaRkFo2AUjIJhDwBeuVo5IqUXFwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cape Coast","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Richmond","middleName":"","lastName":"Korang","suffix":""},{"id":432258562,"identity":"08c19624-edc7-4071-9f41-e0c6afb6a2a0","order_by":1,"name":"Alberta Ama Sagoe","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alberta","middleName":"Ama","lastName":"Sagoe","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-03-21 19:03:23","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":true,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6279895/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6279895/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":79462383,"identity":"dca8ba22-ccc3-470f-a63f-c3a8cd968b9b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:43:51","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":202998,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMangrove distribution along Ghana’s coast (source: \u003c/em\u003e[6]\u003cem\u003e)\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/f718a4af49c078eb24575ed5.jpg"},{"id":79462622,"identity":"a691b337-0d4a-46ea-b1a8-7937f74a0965","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:51:52","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":337123,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMap of the study area (Source\u003c/em\u003e[7]\u003cem\u003e).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/188daa2e4b4add63e4a7ba68.jpg"},{"id":79462387,"identity":"05487d09-5ab7-47b1-9131-fcbaffdf9fbc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:43:52","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":171609,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSampling design for mangrove assessment\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/ac7938f30e09ee6c2e71cc96.jpg"},{"id":79462391,"identity":"8e593bc1-99c5-4c8e-8d08-2446283ddec2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:43:52","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":193952,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePicture of soil Corer and Syringe used in soil extraction\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/2349f91f44e3a311b4b98fcf.jpg"},{"id":79462386,"identity":"bc4b4fe7-0324-43ab-a65f-869b66389494","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:43:52","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":8570,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 4:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e Density of trees per species in each mangrove system.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/96c7e5b681c2ec2bc33b9ef9.png"},{"id":79462394,"identity":"9b574ca5-e6aa-46a4-a933-132aa64f5fe5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:43:52","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":56956,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 5.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e Mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of mangrove species. Bars are standard error bars.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/61625ae0c8c624eded0bee99.png"},{"id":79463640,"identity":"09ff4f8b-ca31-4568-93ad-818ea8ba86ea","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 18:15:53","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1676717,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/48dce7fb-295f-4772-9935-5b75c5ffcd2a.pdf"},{"id":79463134,"identity":"f0be974c-8dae-4060-9467-5a0ee32bd0bd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-28 17:59:52","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":131657,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Annex.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6279895/v1/db864a90d36472bc1ff7eafd.docx"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eValuation and Estimation of Carbon Stocks and Sequestration Potential of Mangroves in the Ahanta West District of Ghana\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the current era of climate change \u0026ndash; evidenced by concerning records of temperature rise, changing weather patterns, melting ice sheets, and sea-level rise, the global community is in active pursuit of effective solutions to mitigate and adapt to these changes[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. At the core of solutions sought to address climate change is the reduction of greenhouse gases. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is leading the charge, which encourages countries to contribute to the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed sustainably [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Through the legally binding international treaty on climate change (the Paris Agreement) \u0026ndash; adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) under the auspices of the UNFCCC, countries have developed action plans in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to help meet the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and adapt to the impacts of climate change.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNature-based Solutions (NbS), which constitute actions that protect, restore, and manage natural ecosystems to help address climate change, are a significant element in at least 66% of the Paris Agreement signatory countries\u0026rsquo; NDCs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Mangrove forests are crucial natural ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, demonstrating their significant contribution to nature-based solutions to addressing the impacts of climate change. Mangroves can capture, transform, and store carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into coastal sediments for extended periods, displacing organic carbon from the coastal zone to the offshores and the ocean. They are known to sequester carbon 2\u0026ndash;4 times greater than mature tropical forests and contain the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Mangroves also help in mitigating the impact of tropical storms, hurricanes, coastal erosion, and tidal waves. Mangrove conservation thus presents an important means for addressing the challenges related to climate change. Mangroves are however among the most vulnerable ecosystems in the world, with a global projection of more than half of the world\u0026rsquo;s mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse by 2050 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. The phenomenon of mangrove deforestation is a significant contributor to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 12\u0026ndash;15% of these emissions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Ghana, mangroves estimated to span approximately 181 square kilometres [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e], are appraised to decline at a rate of 8.1 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e per annum due to over-cutting, land conversion, wildfires, pollution, and natural death from disease [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) program, Ghana developed a strategy (2016\u0026ndash;2035) for articulating measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation (MESTI, 2021; UNEP \u0026amp; UNDP,2019). The strategy identifies \u0026ldquo;Emission Reductions Programme for Coastal Mangroves\u0026rdquo; among programmes that require further analysis and consideration for REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;implementation. Other regional and national initiatives including the World Bank-funded West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2), the Regenerative Development of Anlo Wetlands (ReDAW) Project, the Community Mangrove Restoration Project at the Muni Pomadze Ramsar Site, and the PAPBio Mangrove Project in the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site, demonstrate important strides to advance the conservation of mangroves in Ghana. That notwithstanding, a clear pathway for integrating mangrove ecosystems in national climate change mitigation actions is still lacking. A holistic understanding of mangrove cover across the country, their carbon stocks, and the ecosystem services they provide locally will facilitate the better harnessing of their role in addressing climate change in Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this paper, we discuss the assessment conducted on three mangrove ecosystems in the Ahanta West district of Western Ghana as presented in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur primary objectives were to i) describe the mangrove forest stand of the area; ii) estimate the total carbon stocks in the three mangrove ecosystems; and iii) estimate the monetary value of the carbon stocks they hold. The methodology employed in this study provides a framework for evaluating mangrove carbon stocks and their economic value. We recommend similar assessments to be extended to other mangrove ecosystems in Ghana to develop a comprehensive national mangrove inventory.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSampling Design and Data Collection\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assessment was conducted from February to April 2018. A one-time measurement of mangrove carbon parameters was performed in the period, following a sampling design adapted from Kauffman and Donato (2012)[\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e] to describe the mangrove forest composition, biomass, and carbon pools in the different systems. A global positioning system (GPS) was used to determine the coordinates of the sites, plots, and soil sampling locations. A stratified systematic sampling technique was applied, where two parallel transects were laid perpendicular to the water\u0026rsquo;s edge. The first transect (T1) was set at the shoreline, up to 10 meters landward. The second transect (T2) was set 5 meters perpendicular to T1, also extending up to 10 meters landward (see Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). A rectangular plot design was adopted for ease of access to the plots and prevention of community interference in the demarcated sites (due to walk paths within the mangrove systems). This was done to reduce disturbances and intrusion from the community members into the sampling site. One-hectare (10,000 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) sampling plots were demarcated for each of the mangrove ecosystems understudied. Within each plot, ten subplots, of an area of 100 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e (10m by 10 m) each were demarcated using a measuring tape and ribbons. The subplots, demarcated along two transect lines, were spaced 10 m perpendicular to the shoreline and 5 m parallel to the shoreline from each other.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin each sub-plot, mangrove trees with stems\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;2 cm were sampled to ensure that the trees measured reflected the most ecologically significant contributors to the ecosystem\u0026rsquo;s biomass and carbon storage capacity [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. As trees grow, their biomass increases disproportionately to their diameter. Larger trees store much more biomass than smaller trees, and including trees with a diameter of less than 2 cm would disproportionately inflate the number of trees without substantially increasing the overall biomass value (Kauffman \u0026amp; Donato, 2012). In any forest ecosystem, including mangrove forests, larger trees with diameters\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;2 cm contribute the most to above-ground biomass (AGB). The biomass of a tree increases exponentially as the diameter of the tree increases. Smaller trees (those with a stem diameter\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2 cm) contribute very little to total biomass compared to larger trees, and therefore, they would have a negligible effect on the overall biomass estimate. Following Kauffman and Donato\u0026rsquo;s protocol in 2012, we focused on trees with stems\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;2 cm to ensure that the trees measured reflected the most ecologically significant contributors to the ecosystem\u0026rsquo;s biomass and carbon storage capacity. The different species found within the plot were identified, counted, and recorded. The diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree was measured using a tape measure and Vernier callipers where appropriate and also recorded [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e][\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil samples were obtained using a soil corer [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], designed and manufactured locally following protocols from Kauffman and Donato (2012)[\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e], with openings at 10cm intervals along the entire length of the corer. Two soil corer samples were obtained at random locations within each subplot to analyse soil carbon stocks. To obtain the soil samples, the corer as seen in was steadily inserted vertically into the soil until the top of the sampler was at a level with the soil surface. At a depth of 100 cm, the corer was twisted in a clockwise direction a few times to cut through any remaining fine roots. The corer was pulled gently out of the soil while continuing to twist it, to retrieve the soil sample. For each corer sample, two sub-samples were collected at a depth of 15cm to find an average for topsoil and two soil samples at 85cm to find an average for bottom soil (see Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Soil subsamples of 20 cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e each were obtained at 20 cm and 90 cm lengths of the corer to represent two depth classes of the soil profile (0\u0026ndash;30 cm and 80\u0026ndash;100cm) [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. The samples were placed in labelled zip lock bags and transferred to the laboratory for analyses of soil carbon content.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biomass of live trees and their equivalent below-ground biomass were calculated using published allometric equations adapted from [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e] as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAboveground living biomass, Wtop\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.251pD\u003csup\u003e2.46\u003c/sup\u003e, where \u003cem\u003ep (0.83)\u003c/em\u003e is specific wood density and D is the diameter at breast height. The biomass of trees in each subplot was summed to obtain the total biomass in Mg per plot (1 Mg\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 metric ton). Carbon stock equivalent\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Wtop X 0.46 [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelowground living biomass, Wbg\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.199p0.899D\u003csup\u003e2.22\u003c/sup\u003e, where \u003cem\u003ep (0.6)\u003c/em\u003e is specific wood density and D is the diameter at breast height. The belowground biomass values of trees in each subplot were summed to obtain the total biomass in Mg per plot (1 Mg\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 metric ton). Carbon stock equivalent\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Wbg X 0.39 [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo accurately measure the soil carbon pool, three parameters were quantified - Soil depth; Soil bulk density; and Organic carbon concentration. In the laboratory, the soil samples were dispensed onto a pre-weighed Petri dish and oven-dried to a constant mass at 105\u0026deg;C to determine the bulk density of the samples [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. The Loss on Ignition (LOI) method was used to determine soil organic matter [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] Following this method, soil samples were subjected to combustion at a high temperature of 550\u0026deg;C for 4 hours [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dry bulk density, \u003cem\u003eD\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003ebd\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e (gcm\u003csup\u003e-3\u003c/sup\u003e) of the soil samples was estimated as: oven-dry sample mass (g) / sample volume (m\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoss on ignition (%LOI) was estimated as: \u003cem\u003e%LOI =\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\frac{\\text{d}\\text{r}\\text{y}\\:\\text{m}\\text{a}\\text{s}\\text{s}\\:\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{f}\\text{o}\\text{r}\\text{e}\\:\\text{s}\\text{o}\\text{i}\\text{l}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{u}\\text{s}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\:\\left(\\text{m}\\text{g}\\right)-\\:\\text{d}\\text{r}\\text{y}\\:\\text{m}\\text{a}\\text{s}\\text{s}\\:\\text{a}\\text{f}\\text{t}\\text{e}\\text{r}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{u}\\text{s}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\:\\left(\\text{m}\\text{g}\\right)}{\\text{d}\\text{r}\\text{y}\\:\\text{m}\\text{a}\\text{s}\\text{s}\\:\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{f}\\text{o}\\text{r}\\text{e}\\:\\text{s}\\text{o}\\text{i}\\text{l}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{u}\\text{s}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\:\\left(\\text{m}\\text{g}\\right)}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003eX 100\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe soil organic carbon carbon (%C\u003csub\u003eorg\u003c/sub\u003e) was estimated as: \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\text{%}\\text{C}\\text{o}\\text{r}\\text{g}=\\:0.415\\:\\text{*}\\:\\text{%}\\text{L}\\text{O}\\text{I}\\:+\\:2.89\\:\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil carbon, SC (Mgha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e) was finally calculated as: bulk density (gcm\u003csup\u003e-3\u003c/sup\u003e) * Soil depth interval (cm) * %C\u003csub\u003eorg\u003c/sub\u003e (expressed as a whole number)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe total organic carbon stock (or density) of each of the mangrove systems was determined by adding all of the component pools in the system as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal carbon stock, TOC (Mg ha-1) of plots\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;C\u003csub\u003etreeAG\u003c/sub\u003e + C\u003csub\u003etreeBG\u003c/sub\u003e + C\u003csub\u003esoil\u003c/sub\u003e, where C\u003csub\u003etreeAG\u003c/sub\u003e = above-ground carbon pools of trees; C\u003csub\u003etreeBG\u003c/sub\u003e = below-ground tree carbon pool; and C\u003csub\u003esoil\u003c/sub\u003e is the total soil carbon pool [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Essentially, TOC provides a snapshot of the carbon stored within the mangrove ecosystem, while Carbon measurements capture the ongoing exchange of carbon with the atmosphere. Both are important for a complete understanding of mangrove carbon cycling, but TOC is often the primary focus for assessing carbon storage potential and long-term impacts [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbon dioxide equivalent was used as a proxy for carbon sequestered by the mangroves under study. Carbon sequestration is the long-term storage of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e or other forms of carbon to mitigate or defer global warming and avoid dangerous climate change. The total potential CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e sequestered per hectare (Mg CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e/ha) was estimated as the total carbon stock multiplied by a conversion factor of 3.67 [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the World Bank, the carbon market price for Sub-Saharan countries stands at a value of $10.8/tCO₂e [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. This value is utilised in South Africa\u0026rsquo;s established carbon trading market. Using this value as a proxy, we estimated the market price for the mangrove forests in the study area as: Economic value\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;A * B, where A\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Total amount of carbon stored in the site (area of mangrove * carbon storage of mangrove) and B\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;unit price of carbon ($10.8/tCO₂e) [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Composition of Mangrove Trees in the Study Area\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo species of mangrove (\u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLaguncularia racemosa\u003c/em\u003e) were recorded within the study site. \u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle\u003c/em\u003e dominated the research area, with 640 trees/ha recorded for the lagoon system, 300 trees/ha recorded for the estuary system and 570 trees/ha recorded for the rocky bay system. No \u003cem\u003eLaguncularia racemosa\u003c/em\u003e was recorded for the lagoon system, however, the estuary system recorded 110 trees/ha and the rocky bay system recorded 190 trees/ha.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2016, [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. recorded three mangrove species around the Nyan estuary \u0026ndash; \u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemose.\u003c/em\u003e In this study, however, two species were encountered; \u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa\u003c/em\u003e as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. This could be due to differences in sampling area extent. The sampling of mangrove trees for this study was restricted to the banks of the estuary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMangrove Trees Size Composition\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of the trees recorded in each of the 3 systems depicted a generally healthy mangrove forest with averagely mature \u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle\u003c/em\u003e trees and averagely smaller \u003cem\u003eLaguncularia racemosa\u003c/em\u003e trees in the area. The \u003cem\u003eRhizophora mangle\u003c/em\u003e trees in the lagoon system recorded the highest mean dbh of 13.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.05 (standard error) cm, followed by the rocky bay system at 12.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.36 (standard error) cm, and the estuary system at 9.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58 (standard error) cm. Comparing with the maximum dbh for mature trees reported at 10 cm from literature [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e], it was concluded that \u003cem\u003eR.mangle\u003c/em\u003e trees in the area were averagely mature. In addition, \u003cem\u003eLaguncularia racemosa\u003c/em\u003e trees in the rocky bay system recorded the highest mean dbh of 6.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27 (standard error) cm, followed by the estuary system at 4.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52 cm, presenting relatively smaller trees in the area. The mangroves assessed in the study area were considered nearly pristine since exploitation rates observed in the area were low due to no market demand placed on them as in the case in other coastal areas in Ghana [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. The mangroves in Princess Town particularly were observed to provide key socio-economic benefits to the community members (especially women and children who make their livelihoods from shellfish harvesting). Periwinkles, crabs, clams, and oysters were among the commercially important resources harvested from the mangroves [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Mangroves at the Enhuli Lagoon were protected by traditional rules because of their spiritual value and for that reason, monkeys reside permanently in the trees, creating an opportunity for monkey sightings to be developed as a tourist activity in the area. This potentially explains the reason for the nearly pristine status of the mangroves in the area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCarbon Stored and Sequestered by the Mangroves\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, the lagoon mangrove system recorded the highest amount of carbon stored at 407.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;131.62 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,532.88 MgCO₂e/ha), followed by the rocky bay mangrove system at 395.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;127.61 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,488.77 MgCO₂e/ha), and the estuarine mangrove system at 291.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;96.69 MgC/ha (carbon dioxide equivalent of 1,097.77 MgCO₂e/ha).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarbon stored and sequestered in the 3 mangrove systems assessed\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMangrove system (area)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAboveground Carbon stocks (MgC/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelowground Carbon stocks (MgC/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil Carbon stocks (MgC/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal Carbon stored per hectare (MgC/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarbon stored in the entire system\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(MgC/area)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal Carbon Sequestered in the entire system (Mg/CO2e/area)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic value of carbon (US$/MgCO₂e/area)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstuary (38.11 ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e290.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.78\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e291.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;96.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11,126.60\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e41,836.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e120,167.2\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLagoon (17.54 ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e399.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.89\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e407.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;131.62\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7,150.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e26,886.66\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e77,227.64\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRockybay (1.26 ha)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.64\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e387.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30.47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e395.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;127.61\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e498.897\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1,875.85\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5,388.088\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three mangrove systems assessed in the GCTP area were observed to be generally in good condition and fairly undisturbed by community harvesting practices. Comparing the amount of carbon sequestered by mangroves of the Indo-Pacific region, which were recorded to be among the highest carbon pools of any forest type\u0026mdash;ranging between 2,074 and 4,621 MgCO2e/ha [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]\u0026mdash;the study ranked the GCTP area medium for carbon sequestration. The study highlights the importance of protecting these mangroves to prevent indiscriminate cutting for development and other future purposes. Even though the area assessed was relatively smaller, the levels of carbon stocks recorded signify the climate mitigation potential of the mangrove ecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEstimated Value of Carbon in the Greater Cape Three Points Area\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe market value of carbon sequestered by the Nyan estuary, Enhuli lagoon, and Rocky Bay mangrove systems was estimated at US$120,167.23/MgCO₂e/ha/yr, US$77,227.64/MgCO₂e/ha/yr, and US$5388.09/MgCO₂e/ha/yr respectively. Accurate carbon estimates in Ghana's forests can demonstrate the potential for emissions reductions through REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) activities [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e], allowing for financial compensation from developed nations or private entities. These estimates help identify areas where REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;and CDM interventions can have the most significant impact, allowing for targeted conservation efforts in forests with the highest carbon storage potential [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Carbon values also inform benefit-sharing mechanisms within REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;projects, ensuring fair compensation for communities involved in forest conservation (Edinburg University, 2013). Accurate estimates of carbon stocks are essential for developing REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;and CDM projects that can generate tradable carbon credits, representing the verified amount of carbon dioxide emission reductions achieved by the project [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. The estimated value of carbon stored in a forest directly influences the price of the corresponding carbon credits, potentially generating greater revenue for Ghana from carbon trading [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. However, challenges include the accuracy of estimates, monitoring costs, and market fluctuations [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Overestimations could lead to undeserved payments, while underestimations could undervalue the true contribution of the country's forests [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. Overall, estimated carbon values are a powerful tool for Ghana to secure financial resources for forest conservation through REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;and CDM and participate in the global carbon market through carbon trading.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Recommendations and Conclusion ","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings of the assessment underscore the critical role of mangrove ecosystems as significant carbon sinks with substantial potential to contribute to climate change mitigation. The nearly pristine mangrove forests in the GCTP area, with their significant carbon stocks and sequestration capacity, highlight the importance of prioritizing their conservation and integration into Ghana\u0026rsquo;s national climate strategies. The high carbon sequestration potential of mangroves warrants their inclusion as a key component of Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This can strengthen the country\u0026rsquo;s position in global climate negotiations and attract funding for nature-based solutions. It is also relevant to establish a robust framework for monetizing the carbon sequestration potential of mangroves through carbon trading schemes like the REDD\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to generate revenue for conservation efforts and incentivize community participation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocal community engagement and traditional practices, such as the cultural norms protecting the Ehunli lagoon mangroves, should be leveraged to develop sustainable management models that balance conservation with the livelihoods of local populations. We recommend that in areas where mangrove trees are harvested indiscriminately, community-based management structures should be supported to develop effective mechanisms for protecting mangrove ecosystems. Awareness programs should be implemented to educate stakeholders, including policymakers and local communities, on the ecological and economic importance of mangroves. These campaigns can foster support for conservation initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, even within a mangrove forest covering as small as the study area, valuable insights can be gained. They are highly effective carbon sinks, storing up to five times more carbon per hectare than inland tropical forests, primarily in their soil. This efficiency underscores the significant role even small mangrove areas play in carbon sequestration efforts. The mangrove ecosystems in the Greater Cape Three Points area possess significant carbon storage and sequestration capabilities that are invaluable for mitigating climate change. By integrating these ecosystems into national climate action plans and leveraging their economic potential, Ghana can make significant strides in achieving its climate objectives while supporting sustainable development. Immediate and collaborative efforts among government agencies, local communities, and international partners are essential to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Research Limitations ","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe assessment was conducted on three carbon pools within each of the mangrove systems - aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and soil carbon, which could lead to an underestimation of the total carbon stock within the mangrove ecosystems. Due to the underdevelopment of robust carbon credit systems in Ghana and the Sub-region, a carbon market value established for South Africa was used as a proxy to estimate the economic value of carbon sequestered by the mangrove ecosystems in the study. This could potentially undervalue or overvalue the area understudied.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCompeting Interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthors Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe received research support in the form of accomodation, transportation and data collection from the United States Agency for International\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthors Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe received research support from the United\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStates Agency for International Development (USAID) Project. Grant number \u003cb\u003eIFT No.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCR/UCC/CS/0009/2019.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthors Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Richmond Korang and Alberta Ama Sagoe commented on previous versions of the manuscript. She read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbbass K, Qasim MZ, Song H, Murshed M, Mahmood H, Younis I (2022) A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. 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Available: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttp://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/case-\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/case-\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoussa MC-D, Blimpo P (2019) Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenek V, Amado J-C, Greenall D (2013) Enabling Environment for Private Sector Adaptation. Enabling Environ Priv Sect Adapt. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1596/26121\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1596/26121\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[{"identity":"2fd7573a-57db-4bda-a6ad-4255e2f515bd","identifier":"10.13039/100000200","name":"United States Agency for International Development","awardNumber":"Project. Grant number IFT No. CR/UCC/CS/0009/2019","order_by":0}],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"University of Cape Coast","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6279895/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6279895/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAs part of nature-based solutions to addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the severe impacts of global climate change, the government of Ghana, through its Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) is leading the development of policies and implementation of programs to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems, which have reduced in coverage over the years. This research was conducted to present an inventory of the mangrove carbon stocks and their estimated monetary value in two communities in the Greater Cape Three Points (GCTP) area of Western Ghana \u0026ndash; Princess Town and Cape Three Points, in support of national mangrove conservation efforts. The assessment, which was conducted on three mangrove ecosystems in the study area\u0026ndash; Nyan River estuary (38.11 ha) and Ehunli lagoon (17.54 ha) in Princess Town, and the rocky bay in Cape Three Points (1.26 ha). It estimated carbon stored in the systems at 291.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;96.69 MgC/ha, 407.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;131.62 MgC/ha, and 395.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;127.61 MgC/ha respectively. Carbon sequestered by each of the systems was estimated at 41,836 Mg/CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003ee for the Nyan estuary mangrove system, 26,886.66 Mg/CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003ee for the Enhuli lagoon mangrove system, and 1,875.85 Mg/CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003ee for the rocky bay mangrove system \u0026ndash; at a carbon market value of US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e12,0167.23 MgCO₂e/ha, US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e 77,227.64 MgCO₂e, and US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e 5388.09 MgCO₂e, respectively. The Enhuli Lagoon mangrove ecosystem which provides a sanctuary for monkeys and is traditionally protected by cultural norms, recorded the highest carbon storage amount. Results of the assessment inferred that all three ecosystems sequestered high amounts of carbon, emphasizing their important role as carbon sinks. The systems were also observed to be in a near-pristine state, providing a wide range of ecosystem services, both directly and indirectly, to support human well-being.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Valuation and Estimation of Carbon Stocks and Sequestration Potential of Mangroves in the Ahanta West District of Ghana","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-03-28 17:43:47","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6279895/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d9215a24-0e66-4739-bff8-3117012326a7","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 28th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":46161935,"name":"Conservation Biology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-03-28T17:43:47+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-03-28 17:43:47","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6279895","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6279895","identity":"rs-6279895","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}