SEDIMENT CARBON STOCK OF WEST KALIMANTAN MANGROVE FORESTS

Abstract

We investigate variation in sediment carbon stock at Mempawah and Bakau Besar in West Kalimantan by analyzing organic carbon content from sediment samples taken within 20 cm depth. Our results show that organic carbon stock of sediments in Bakau Besar is generally higher than in Mempawah that may be due to riverine input of organic carbon into the mangrove forests. The riverine input of organic carbon is influenced tides, in which we find that organic carbon loads are higher during high tide compared to low tide. In particular, we find high organic carbon contents at a station in Mempawah (Station 3; 6.46 ± 0.23 tons C/ha) and another station in Bakau Besar (Station 2; 14.93 ± 1.43 tons C/ha). These two stations have mangrove density of 13,519 individuals/ha and 9,928 individuals/ha, respectively. We conclude that high organic carbon is influenced by riverine input as well as a high density of mangrove and the dominant type of mangrove vegetation at the sites.