Calculating CO2 from mangrove restoration
Mangrove trees are one of the most effective and verified methods of offsetting carbon emissions. Each mangrove tree planted through our reforestation projects removes over 308kg (680lbs) of CO2 from the atmosphere over the growth life of the tree. This calculates to an average of 12.3kg per year per tree.
Scientific studies have shown that Mangroves “sequester carbon at a rate two to four times greater than mature tropical forests”, and contain “the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems.” (Fatoyinbo et al, 2017). The key to mangroves is the large amounts of biomass stored underground in the extensive root system. These roots support the large trees in muddy coastal areas where mangroves thrive
CO2 calculations for each employee
To calculate the number of trees needed to compensate one person's carbon footprint in Europe, divide the average carbon footprint per person per year (7200 kg) by the carbon removed per mangrove tree over its lifetime (308 kg). This yields approximately 23.38 trees. Rounding up, around 24 trees are needed per year, equivalent to planting around 2 trees per month per person to offset their carbon footprint. We add a tree
References
Fatoyinbo T, Feliciano E., Lagomasiano D, Lee S K, Trettin C (2017) Estimating Mangrove Aboveground Biomass from Airborne Lidar Data: A Case Study from the Zambezi River Delta
Donato D, Kauffman J B, Murdiyarso D, Kurnianto S, Stidham M, Kanninen M (2011) Mangroves among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. Nature Geoscience NGEO1123
Komiyama A, Ong J E, Poungparn S (2008) Allometry, biomass, and productivity of mangroveforests: A review. Aquatic Botany 89.
