Carbon is stored above and below ground

Mangroves are part of the coastal ecosystems often discussed as “blue carbon.” Carbon is held in living vegetation and can also accumulate in waterlogged soils beneath the forest. The amount and distribution vary by site, so a general explanation should not be mistaken for a measurement of a particular location.

This is one reason conservation matters: clearing or degrading a mangrove ecosystem can disturb existing carbon stocks, while restoration aims to recover ecological functions over time. A restoration project does not automatically create a verified carbon credit. Credible accounting requires site-specific measurement, clear boundaries, monitoring and an appropriate methodology.

Mangroves also support other ecological functions, including habitat and fisheries, so carbon is only one part of their value.

Further reading: UNEP: Why protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems matters · UNEP: Mangroves in the spotlight