Assessing blue carbon in mangrove ecosystems of Seychelles

Seychelles' mangrove ecosystems store approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), with Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar site, holding the highest carbon stocks at 67% of the country's total. This first blue carbon assessment for Seychelles reveals that soils account for 70% of these stocks, despite a shallow organic layer due to limestone dominance. The study highlights the critical role of mangroves in climate mitigation and adaptation, particularly for Small Island Developing States vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea level rise and cyclones. Field data underscores their potential to support Seychelles' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments, with 85% of its 2195 hectares of mangroves already protected.

Wartman, M., Palacios, M. M., Nourice, B., Macreadie, P. I., Constance, A., Waryszak, P., & Duarte de Paula Costa, M. (2025). Assessing blue carbon in mangrove ecosystems of Seychelles. Journal of Environmental Management, 374, 123967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123967