Enhancement of carbon sequestration capacity by restoring mangroves in Kaohsiung Jhongdu Wetland Park

Enhancement of carbon sequestration capacity by restoring mangroves in Kaohsiung Jhongdu Wetland Park

This study examines the enhancement in carbon sequestration capacity of three mangrove species restored in the Jhongdu Wetland Park, Kaohsiung City. Among them, Avicennia marina demonstrated the highest carbon sequestration capacity, followed by Rhizophora stylosa and Lumnitzera racemosa. When compared to the carbon sequestration rates of natural mangroves along other coastal areas of Taiwan, the restored mangroves in the wetland park exhibited significantly higher rates. However, current maintenance practices treat the park primarily as an urban landscape park, involving extensive pruning and removal when vegetation becomes overly dense. This study confirms that the mangroves in the wetland park function as effective carbon sinks, highlighting their ecological value and ecosystem services they provide in urban environments. It is therefore recommended that proper thinning and management practices be adopted to enhance Kaohsiung City's capacity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is recommended to support its inclusion as a nature-based solution in urban climate strategies.