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Getting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buck

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Listed:
  • Jingfan Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhe Lu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jinge Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guoming Qin

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yicheng Bai

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Christian J. Sanders

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Peter I. Macreadie

    (RMIT University)

  • Jiacan Yuan

    (Fudan University)

  • Xingyun Huang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Faming Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Hainan University
    Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory)

Abstract

Mangrove loss has reduced its carbon (C) sink function and ecosystem services. To effectively allocate climate finance for mangrove restoration, a thorough assessment of restoration potential is necessary. Here we show a net loss of ecosystem service value (ESV) of 29.2 billion USD ($) due to land changes in mangroves from 1996 to 2019. The estimated mangrove ESV in 2019 amounts to $894 billion yr−1, mainly provided by regulating and provisioning services (57.4% and 19.7%). Over the next two decades, we project that the restoration of mangroves would necessitate an investment of $40.0–52.1 billion, yielding net gains in ESV of $231–725 billion. The global benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of mangrove restoration ranges from 6.35 to 15.0, demonstrating that such projects are highly cost-effective. Furthermore, an estimated of 19.4 Tg C can be sequestrated in mangrove soils based on a 20-year mangrove restoration program, which can generate $68.6–$236 million via blue C trading. Our findings highlight the significant opportunities for blue C restoration projects to mitigate climate change and support livelihoods.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingfan Zhang & Zhe Lu & Jinge Zhou & Guoming Qin & Yicheng Bai & Christian J. Sanders & Peter I. Macreadie & Jiacan Yuan & Xingyun Huang & Faming Wang, 2025. "Getting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buck," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56587-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56587-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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