Mangrove wetlands distribution status identification, changing trend analyzation and carbon storage assessment of China

Abstract

This research investigates the ecological importance, changes, and status of mangrove wetlands along China’s coastline. Visual interpretation, geological surveys, and ISO clustering unsupervised classification methods are employed to interpret mangrove distribution from remote sensing images from 2021, utilizing ArcGIS software platform. Furthermore, the carbon storage capacity of mangrove wetlands is quantified using the carbon storage module of InVEST model. Results show that the mangrove wetlands in China covered an area of 278.85 km² in 2021, predominantly distributed in Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. The total carbon storage is assessed at 2.11×10⁶ t, with specific regional data provided. Trends since the 1950s reveal periods of increase, decrease, sharp decrease, and slight-steady increases in mangrove areas in China. An important finding is the predominant replacement of natural coastlines adjacent to mangrove wetlands by artificial ones, highlighting the need for creating suitable spaces for mangrove restoration. This study is poised to guide future mangrove-related investigations and conservation strategies.

Keywords

Mangrove / Wetland / Carbon storage / Ecological conservation / ArcGIS software platform / Restoration / InVEST model / Quantitative analysis / Coastal zone of China

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Chang Li: Investigation, interpretation of remote sensing

images, original draft, figures. Fu Wang: Scientific question choice, field work design, investigation, data collection, results and discussion, paper writing and revising. Peng Yang: Data collection, discussion. Fei-cui Wang: Remote sensing images collection and interpretation. Yun-zhuang Hu: Investigation and discussion. Yan-lin Zhao: Remote sensing images collection and interpretation, figures. Li-zhu Tian: Investigation and discussion. Rui-bin Zhao: discussion.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgement

The authors thank anonymous reviewers, who gave many constructive suggestions, and this work was supported by China Geological Survey (DD20211301).

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