Evaluating Blue Carbon Sequestration of Intact and Restored Avicennia Marina Along the Coastline of Oman

Overview. Blue carbon (BC) describes the organic carbon sequestered in vegetated ecosystems such as mangroves. Recently, the potential role of BC in climate change mitigation has reached international prominence. However, BC ecosystems are very vulnerable to changes related to climate change (e.g., sea level rise and extreme temperatures) and anthropogenic activities (e.g., change land use). Thus, efficient integration of BC ecosystems in climate change mitigation approaches requires conservation and restoration of such ecosystems. Mangroves inhibited around 32 sites along the coastline of Oman, yet this ecosystem are severely threatening by anthropogenic pressures (e.g., urbanization and deforestation). Besides the authorities? efforts to protect and restore mangroves in Oman, there is an urgent need to address limitation of BC ecosystems carbon stocks data and investigate the potential of Omani mangroves in particular to be incorporated in the nationally determined contributions (NDC) towards the Paris Agreement. The overarching goal of this study is quantifying biomass and soil carbon stocks in intact and restored A. marina in five sites along the coastline of Oman. This is the first comprehensive study which will use field-based assessment to study carbon sequestration in mangroves biomass and soil in Oman. Intellectual Merit. A growing body of evidence shows that mangrove ecosystems have the potential to sequester and store large amounts of carbon, both in biomass and in the trapped sediments. However, such carbon sequestering potential is significantly influence by topography, substrate, latitude, climate and hydrology. This study will evaluate mangroves carbon stocks in mangroves in five sites. Such data will better our understanding of carbon sequestration in arid mangrove ecosystems. Spatial quantification of carbon stocks will aid to prioritize protection and restoration plans for better climate change mitigation and adaptation in the country. Broader Impacts. Few studies addressed mangroves BC sequestration in arid zones. This research will provide better understanding of BC sequestration in aired region where BC ecosystem exist near the limits of their tolerance for extreme temperature, precipitation and salinity. Findings of this study, moreover, will provide essential data that will in turn inform policymakers how to incorporate coastal ecosystems in adaptation strategies in country?s NCD. And it will help to increase awareness and knowledge on mangroves ecosystem for better management and restoration of such vital ecosystem.