A new study from the University of Exeter shows that rising sea levels may reduce the ability of mangrove forests to store carbon. Mangroves cover less than 1% of Earth's surface but hold about 15% of all carbon stored in ocean ecosystems. The study used a computer model that links water flow, sediment transport, and mangrove growth to examine how entire forests respond to sea-level rise. Under higher sea-level rise scenarios, mangroves can drown and die back. When that happens, carbon-rich soils erode and release stored carbon back into the environment. The researchers warn that mangroves could shift from being carbon sinks to carbon sources. The findings were published in Earth's Future and highlight the importance of protecting entire coastal systems, not just individual mangrove stands.
