Protocols for the measurement, monitoring and reporting of structure, biomass and carbon stocks in mangrove forests

Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

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Abstract: Mangroves are defined as an association of halophytic trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters of tropical and subtropical coastlines (Mitsch and Gosselink 2007). Mangroves are generally restricted to the tidal zone. As such, mangroves in fringe areas will be inundated by practically all high tides, while those at the higher topographic boundaries may be flooded only during the highest of tides (spring tides) or during storm surges. Mangroves are typically found along tropical and subtropical coastlines between about 25o N and 25o S. Globally, there are at least 68 mangrove-obligate species. The centre of diversity of mangroves is the Indo-Pacific region where Giesen et al. (2007) listed 52 plant species that occurred only in mangroves and 268 species that can be found in mangroves and other wet environments. In contrast, the Americas have only about 10 mangrove species (Mitch and Gosselink 2007).