Total Biomass and Carbon Estimates in Mangrove Species of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS), Odisha

Abstract

We estimated total biomass and total carbon in 18 selected woody mangrove species based on the IVI values along with physico-chemical parameters of sea water and soil. AGB and BGB values were calculated as per the standard protocol in BWLS in five sampling stations namely Dangmal, Bhitarkanika, Habalikhati, Ekakula and Gupti. The highest values of IVI were noted for E. agallocha followed by A. officinalis, A. marina, H. fomes and C. decandra. Total biomass of species range was found to be varying between 0.69 tha-1 in X. molluccensis and 2122.17 tha-1 in A. officinalis. Total site-wise biomass ranged between 0.22 tha-1 in B. cylindrica at Gupti and 1419.26 tha-1 in A. officinalis at Bhitarkanika. Total carbon was considered to be 50% of total dry biomass which varied from 188.45±21.87 tha-1 at Ekakula to 941.31±201.17 tha-1 at Bhitarkanika, respectively. The higher biomass and carbon in A. officinalis proves it to be highly adaptive to the environmental changes in the present geographical locale. The maximum biomass and carbon of all the mangrove species in station Bhitarkanika is due to the fact that this station receives the fresh water discharge of Baitarani river thereby the adequate lower salinity is maintained. The present study reveals that mangroves of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary can store substantial amount of atmospheric carbon and therefore needs to be conserved and sustainably managed.