Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems are widely recognized for their crucial role in mitigating climate change through carbon storage and sequestration services. These ecosystems possess significant carbon reservoirs, particularly in their soils. Nevertheless, the unremitting development of coastal areas and alterations in land use constitute impending threats to
these ecosystems, endangering the continuity of their invaluable services. Recognizing the crucial role of mangrove ecosystems in mitigating climate change, this study meticulously evaluates the cumulative carbon stocks
encompassing the aboveground and soil components within three mangroveprotected areas in the Macajalar Bay region of Misamis Oriental. The research findings show that soil carbon makes up a significant portion, ranging from 40% to 90%, of the total carbon stocks in the three study areas. This emphasizes the crucial function of mangrove soils as carbon repositories. Furthermore, the study establishes a direct connection between the age of mangrove stands and the occurrence of large-girth trees, both of which add to the rise in carbon stocks. Despite their substantial carbon
storage capacity, mangrove forests in the Macajalar Bay region are still facing encroachments due to urbanization pressures. This assessment of carbon stocks in these coastal ecosystems plays a critical role in developing localized
strategies that align with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) REDD+ initiatives, thus preventing further degradation of these vital carbon sinks.