Carbon pools and multiple benefits

CARBON POOLS AND MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF MANGROVES ASSESSMENT FOR REDD+ IN CENTRAL AFRICA

© Günther Klaus

STUDY APPROACH ANDMETHODOLOGY

The Project Area

Composition and distribution of mangroves in Central Africa Mangrove formation in Western and Central Africa is characterized by low species diversity similar to those in the Americas (Tomlinson, 1986). In Central Africa, there are 8 mangrove species of economic importance (UNEP-WCMC, 2007). The largest tracts of mangrove in the region are found in deltas and large rivers estuaries inCameroon andGabon (UNEP-WCMC, 2007). The dominant species is Rhizophora racemosa (Rhizophoraceae) which accounts for more than 90% of the forest formation.

Biophysical Characteristics

A variety of habitat types (coastal lagoons, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, etc.) characterize the Central African coastline with a vast array of rivers flowing from the hinterlands into the Atlantic Ocean. The confluences of these rivers withmarine waters, and the abundant rains in some areas (up to 4000 mm of rain in North- Western Cameroon), form suitable conditions for the development of giant mangrove vegetation in the region that also harbors the world’s second largest tropical rainforest.

Title

Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea

Congo

Gabon

DRC

Atlantic Ocean

Figure 1: Map showing the location of selected countries for the study

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