Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems, recently recognized for their ability to capture and store carbon, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. In Brazil, with a vast expanse of coastal areas, mangroves represent an important carbon reserve, also called "blue carbon", a term that refers to the carbon sequestered by coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and sea grasslands.
Mangroves provide a series of ecosystem services that benefit both the environment and society. They serve as nurseries for various marine species, protect coastal areas from erosion, filter pollutants and, crucially, sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, contributing to the reduction of the greenhouse effect.
A recent study carried out by biologists from PUC Minas in the Environmental Protection Area, on the Pacoti River, located in the state of Ceará, illustrated the capacity of these ecosystems to store carbon. The research focused on calculating the amount of carbon stored in the above-ground biomass of mangrove vegetation and evaluating the economic potential of this stock in the carbon credit market.
The results indicated that the Pacoti River APA mangrove is capable of storing 101.77 tons of CO2 per hectare. In total, the estuary stores 71,545.93 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to a significant monetary value in the carbon credit market. On the voluntary market, this stock would be worth approximately R$7,043,696.80, while on the regulated European market it could reach €6,587,949.23 (around R$35,574,925.86)
Brazilian mangroves, such as those in the Pacoti River APA, demonstrate great potential, both environmental and economic. Preserving these ecosystems is crucial not only for biodiversity and coastal protection, but also as an effective strategy in mitigating climate change. Investing in the conservation and recovery of mangroves can generate financial returns through the carbon credit market, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainability.
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