Journal of Environmental Science and Management 11(1):1525(June 2008)

ISSN 0119-1144

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem in San Juan,

Batangas
Dixon T. Gevaa, Florencia B. Pulhin and Nelson M. Pampolina
ABSTRACT
In the context of climate change and global warming, carbon sequestration receives a
considerable attention now. In the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), global mean temperature has dramatically increased over the past decades.
There is also mounting evidence that this increase will remain as problems on landuse change
and industrial emissions continue to worsen. Among the GHGs, CO2 is the most abundant. Forest
ecosystems such as mangroves play a significant role in the climate change problem because
they serve as sinks of atmospheric. Great attention is focused on tropical forests to offset carbon
emissions. Thus, this study was intended to assess the carbon storage potential of a mangrove
forest in San Juan Batangas. A nested plot method developed by ICRAF-ASB Program and
allometric equations developed by Komiyama et.al. (2005) were employed to estimate the
above-ground biomass and carbon density of the two stands: Rhizophora-dominated stand in
Barangay Poctol; and Avicennia-dominated stand in Barangay Catmon. Both Rhizophora and
Avicennia dominated stand exhibited good carbon storage potential hence proper forest management
is essential to sustain and improve its capacity to help mitigate climate change.
Key words: carbon sequestration, biomass, Rhizophora, Avicennia

INTRODUCTION
In the context of climate change and global
warming, carbon sequestration receives a
considerable attention now. In the latest assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), global mean temperature has
dramatically increased over the past decades such
that for the first 70 years of the instrumental record
(18501919) to the last 5 years (20012005), the
increase was about 0.78 0.18 o C. There is also
mounting evidence that this increase will continue
as problems on landuse conversions and industrial
emissions of GHGs continue to worsen. Among
the GHGs, CO2 is the most abundant. Forest
ecosystems play an important role in the climate
change problem because they can both be sources
and sinks of atmospheric CO2 (ENFOR 2003).
They can be managed to assimilate CO2 via
photosynthesis and store carbon in biomass and
soil. Great attention is focused on tropical forests
to offset carbon emissions due to its cost
effectiveness, high potential rates of carbon uptake,
and associated environmental and social benefits.
Mangrove forests for instance have huge potential
to sequester vast amount of CO2. They also serve

protective roles in mitigating impacts of climate

change such as proving tidal belt against the
abrupt rise in the sea level.
Mangrove forests are among the worlds
most productive ecosystems. They enrich coastal
waters, yield commercial forest products, protect
coastlines, and support coastal fisheries
(Kathiresan and Bingham 2001). The term
mangrove denotes two different concepts. In the
first, mangrove refers to a group of halophytic
species belonging to some 12 genera in eight
different families (Lugo and Snedaker 1974);
while in the second, the term refers to the complex
of plant communities fringing sheltered tropical
shores (Du, 1962; as cited by Lugo and Snedaker
1974).
Living at the interface between land and sea,
mangroves are well adapted to deal with natural
stressors (e.g., temperature, salinity, anoxia,
ultraviolet rays). However, because they live
close to their tolerance limits, they may be
particularly sensitive to disturbances like those

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem

in San Juan, Batangas

16

brought by human activities. For instance, because

of the proximity to population centers, mangroves
have historically been favored sites for sewage
disposal.

Human encroachment is also a primary cause

of mangrove loss. Diversion of freshwater for
irrigation and land reclamation has destroyed
extensive mangrove forests around the world. In
the past several decades, numerous tracts of
mangrove have been converted for aquaculture,
fundamentally altering the nature of the habitat.
Measurements reveal an alarming level of
mangrove destruction with a mean global loss
rate of 3500 ha/yr (Baconguis et. al. 1990).
Mangroves in some regions are also noted to be
in danger of complete collapse (Kathiresan and
Bingham 2001). The most recent estimate of
mangrove forest is 12.1 million ha (WWF 2004).
This figure is around half of the 1990 estimate of
24 million ha (Twiley 1992).
The problems are likely to worsen as human
populations continue push further into the
mangrove domains. In regions where mangrove
defor estation has pr oduced significant
environmental problems, efforts are underway to
launch mangrove rehabilitation projects. Mangrove
systems require proper management to save
threatened areas.
Mangroves have very significant ecological
value. They protect and stabilize coastlines, enrich
coastal waters, yield commercial forest products
and support coastal fisheries. They are among the
worlds most productive ecosystems producing
vast organic carbon that nourishes and support
the ecosystem and contributing significantly in
the global carbon cycle. Very few researches
however have been conducted to assess the
potential of mangroves in mitigating GHG
increase (ENFOR 2003). Thus, this study was
conducted.
Objectives
The study aims to estimate the amount of
carbon stored in the mangrove forest of San Juan,
Batangas. Specifically, it aims to:

Determine the biomass and carbon density in

the aboveground pools of the mangrove

stands.
Assess the amount of carbon stored in the
soil
Recommend the most appropriate management
intervention to promote C storage and
sequestration in the area.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In 1920, the total area of mangrove forests in
the Philippines was estimated at 400,000
500,000 ha (Brown and Fischer 1920; as cited by
Chapman 1976). A more recent estimate shows
that this was trimmed to around 153,577 ha
(DENR 2005). Fairly extensive mangrove forests
in the Philippines can only be found in Palawan
with 41,830 ha (DENR 2005). Generally, the
average biomass of mangrove forest in the country
is around 401.8 Mg/ha with roughly 176.8 Mg/ha
carbon being stored (Lasco and Pulhin 2000).
These values are around half compared to that of
the amount of carbon stored by an old growth
forest which is 370 to 520 Mg/ha. (Lasco et al.
2004)
At the ecosystem level, Rhizophora-dominated
mangrove stands are noted to have large biomass
and carbon density. (Tanouchi et. al. 2000) The
presence of their unique physiognomic characteristics
such as the presence of silt roots, dense stem and
branches, and relatively large canopy contribute
much to the total biomass. For instance, Fujimoto
(2000) observed an aboveground biomass density
(stem, branch and canopy) of 558 Mg/ha in Matang,
Malaysia. Similarly, soil carbon density is large
with 1300 t C m-2, while quite lower in other mixed
stands stands: Rhizophora apiculataBruguiera
stand with 390 t C m-2; and Ceriops tagal forest
with 270 t C m-2 in Pohnpei Island in Micronesia.
Carbon values in a Rhizophora stylosa stand in
Mekong Delta, Vietnam was also observed high
with an estimate of 500 t C m-2. Biomass and carbon
density estimates for Avicennia-dominated stands
are also large. For instance, ENFOR (2004) estimated
a total carbon density of 139.07 Mg/ha in the
Bungalon and Api-api (Avicennia sp.) stands in
Pagbilao, Quezon. The total aboveground biomass
and carbon density values were estimated to
around 133.68Mg/ha and 60.16 Mg/ha, while soil
carbon density was roughly 18.75 Mg/ha.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 11. No. 1 (June 2008)
METHODOLOGY
Site Description
The municipality of San Juan (Figure 1) is
situated on the southern tip of Batangas province
bordering along the Batangas-Quezon boundary.
It is geographically located at 13.49.6 north latitude
and 121.23.8 east latitude. It is approximately
43 kilometers east of Batangas City, the provincial
capital, about the same distance southwest of Lucena
City, the capital of Quezon province, and about
120 kilometers south of Metro Manila, the national
capital. The total land area is around 27,340 hectares
comprising 42 barangays. San Juan belongs to
Climatic Type 1 with two pronounced seasons:
dry period from November to April and wet the
rest of the year. The average annual rainfall is
around 1029.6 millimeters.
The topography varies from low flat lands on
the eastern portion specifically along Tayabas
Bay, slightly rolling on the midsection and highest
at the western side bordering along Rosario and

Lobo municipal boundaries. Slopes range from 03% to 15% and above with a majority lying
within 0-3%, suitable for agricultural farming.
The southern shorelines bordering Verde Island
passage are long stretches of white sandy beaches
and coves that are considered world class tourism
spots. Several rivers also drain the municipality
which includes: Malaking Ilog, Lawaye River,
Calubcub River and Abung River, Bolbok River,
Putingbuhangin River, Quipot River, and Laiya
River. Laiya River empties at Sigayan Bay on the
Verde Island passage, Northern tip of the municipality.
The predominant soil type is Guadalupe soil.
About 19,473.3 ha (71%) of the total area of
the municipality is devoted to agricultural use.
There are also forest areas and open grasslands.
Swamps are also present since the municipality
borders on the shores of Tayabas, which is a rich
fishing ground. Table 1 shows the current landuse
distribution of the municipality where mangrove
forest is accounted to around 100 ha.
Patches of mangroves are distributed in the

Poctol

Catmon

San Juan, Batangas

Figure 1. Location, general land use and satellite image maps of San Juan, Batangas.
Source: MPDO 2002; Google Earth, 2007

17

18

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem

in San Juan, Batangas

Table 1. Current landuse distribution in San

Juan, Batangas.
Land Use Categories

Existing Areas (Has.)

Built-Up Areas
Urban
Rural
Agricultural Areas
Forest Areas
Special Use Areas
Tourism
Industrial
Agro-Industrial
Mangrove
TOTAL

738.4455
120.9288
617.5167
20,498.7293
5,686.0
416.8252
298.50
2.0
16.3252
100.0
27,340.0

Source: Municipal Planning and Development Office (2003)

municipality. According to the latest Comprehensive

Landuse Plan of San Juan (Figure 1 and Table
1), large patches are located in:

mucronata), and Tabigi (Xylocarpus granatum).

Other species co-dominating the stand include
saging-saging (Aegiceras corniculatum) and
pagatpat (Sonneratia alba). The stand is located
between N13 48 51 and E121 26 51.1. The
ground layer is densely dominated by clumps of
nipa (Nypa fruticans) and stilt roots of bakawans.
Rich canopy diversity is also evident as lianas
and epiphytes thrive well in the branches. Natural
regenerants of bakawan are also abundant.
According to local community members,
there was no major intervention such as logging
and reforestation done in the past to manage the
stand because the area is privately owned. This
was perceived as the main reason why the stand
has reached its mature and diverse condition.
The conservation efforts of the Local Government
Units such as the Bantay-Dagat Program were
noted as major driving factors to its wellprotected condition.

1. Creek in Barangay Calubcub estimated to be

2 ha specifically situated on the abandoned
fishponds of the Perez, Dimaano and Ada
family.
2. Cr eek between Calubcub and Abung
approximately 5 ha
3. Cr eek b et w een Ab u ng a nd T ica la n
approximately 2 ha abandoned fishpond of
the Cordova family.
4. Creek between Ticalan and Pinagbayanan
approximately 5 ha nurtured by the Marasigan
family
5. T ica la n cr eek s ep ar at ing Ca t mon,
approximately 10 hectares.
6. Catmon mangrove approximately 20 hectares
predominantly in the abandoned fishpond of
the Bautista family.
7. Creek separating Pinagbayanan and Poctol.
8. Between Catmon and Poctol nurtured by the
Quizon family approximately 15 ha
Among these sites, mangrove stands are largest
in Barangays of Poctol and Catmon. These were
selected as sampling sites of the study.

Figure 2. General view of the mangrove stand in

Barangay Poctol showing: a) dominance
of Rhizophora sp; b) presence of nipas (N.
fruiticans); c) dense prop root formation.

Barangay Poctol
Barangay Catmon
A reconnaissance survey showed that the
mangrove stand in Poctol is dominated by the

The stand is dominated by Avicennia sp. such

as bungalon (A. marina) and some Rhizophoras

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Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 11. No. 1 (June 2008)
such as malangal (Ceriops decandra). It is located
between N13 48 45.1 and E121 27 6.9
fringing the mangroves of Poctol in the northeast.
The ground layer is lesser dense than the Rhizophora
stand where regenerants of Avicennia sp. and
nipas are abundant. Lianas and parasitic vines
such as the mistletoe are also evident in the canopy
layer. Sapinit (Caesalpinia nuga) and cocunut
(Cocos nucifera) are very common in the eastern
portion of the stand towards the beach.

randomly located within each sampling site and

constructed by running a central line with a
length of 40 m and establishing 2.5- m
perpendicular lines on both sides. A diagram of
the sampling plot is shown in Figure 4. One
large plot and four small sampling plots were
established in each stand. The total area of the
study site is 15 ha.
20 m

Similar to the mangrove stand in Barangay

Poctol, this site is also privately owned by the
same family that owns the mangrove stands in
Poctol. No interventions have been made to manage,
utilize and developed the area for other landuses.
Thus, this was also perceived by the community
as the main reason why the stand has reached its
mature stage.
a

100 m

40 m

- random sampling plot for soil

- small tree (dbh 5-30 cm)
- large tree (>30 cm dbh)

Figure 3. General view of the mangrove stand in

Bgy. Catmon showing: a) dominance of
Avicennia sp.; b) presence of nipa (N.
fruiticans); and c) regenerants of
Avicennia sp.

Biomass and Carbon Sampling

Figure 4. Field lay-out of sampling plots for

trees and soil

Inside each small plot (5 x 40 m), all living

trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ranging
from 5-30 cm were identified by their local,
scientific and family names and measured for
diameter. Trees with dbh greater than 30 cm dbh
were measured within a large plot (20 x 100 m).

Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Sampling

Plots for small trees (dbh 5-30 cm) were

The biomass (kg) was calculated for each tree

using allometric biomass equations that predict

20

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem

in San Juan, Batangas

predict total above-ground biomass of the

mangrove trees (Komiyama et. al 2005). All tree
biomass for each plot was summed to get the total
biomass (expressed in Mg per plot; 1 Mg = 1
metric ton). Biomass was converted to the
equivalent amount of carbon by multiplying the
biomass by 0.45, average C content value, based
on the previous studies conducted by Lasco et al.
(2001).
The study employed the following general
allometric equations for mangroves:
Aboveground biomass (Wtop) = 0.247 p (D2)1.23
Where: p is the wood density of the species
D is the diameter at breast height

The dry mass of sediment and the equivalent C

stock were determined using the following formula:
Sediment mass at specified depth (Mg) =
Bulk density at specified depth (Mg/m3) x 10,000
m2 x depth (m)
Sediment C at specified depth (Mg) =
Soil mass at specified depth (Mg) x % organic C
at specified depth/100
Total Carbon Storage
Total C storage was estimated by getting the sum
of the aboveground and soil C stocks.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

For Rhizophoras, root biomass was computed

using the following formula:
Root biomass (WR) = 0.196 p0.899 (D2)1.11
Where: p is the wood density of the prop roots
D is the diameter at breast height
Soil Carbon Storage
Organic C in the sediment was determined
by collecting about a kilogram of sediment from
the upper 10-cm layer of randomly selected areas
within the small plot (Figure 4). Two soil samples
were collected in each plot. The samples were air
-dried, combined and sent to the Agricultural
Systems Cluster Soil Laboratory of the College
of Agriculture at U.P. Los Baos for soil carbon
analysis.
Bulk density were determined by choosing an
undisturbed spot near the plot, removing debris
from the surface and carefully driving into the
upper 5-cm layer of the soil metal cylinders of
known volume. Four samples were collected in
each plot. The extracted sediment cores were
carefully placed in labeled plastic bags and
immediately sealed for later processing in the
laboratory. The undisturbed cores were immediately
weighed and ovendried at 105oC for two days.
The dry weights were recorded. Bulk density values
were computed using the formula:
Bulk Density (g/cm3) = Dry weight of core (g)/
Volume of cylinder (cm3)

Species Composition
A total of 4 sample plots were established in
each Barangay. Generally, the mangrove forest in
Barangay Poctol is predominantly Rhizophora
stand i.e. dominated by the bakawans, while in
Barangay Catmon are of Avicennia sp. e.g. bungalon,
api-api (Table 2). A total of 11 sp. were recorded
where 9 sp. belonging to 5 different families
were recorded from each different barangay.
Tabigi (Xylocarpus granatum Koen.) was observed
to be the most frequently occurring sp. in almost
all plots, while the dominants (based on dbh)
include Avicennia sp., Ceriops sp., Sonneratia sp.
and Bruguiera. Nipa (Nypa fruiticans) was also
found abundant in the two sites but was not
considered in the computation for biomass due
lack of dbh measurement.
Biomass and Carbon Density
Rhizophora-dominated stand in Barangay Poctol
The total estimated carbon density for Barangay
Poctol is 115.45 Mg/ha (Table 3). Greater share
of these values are from the carbon density values
measured from the small plot. Among the small
plots, Plot 3 contributed the largest biomass and
carbon density values with 283 Mg/ha and 127.68
Mg/ha C, respectively. Biomass and carbon density
follow a trend: Plot 3 > Plot 4 > Plot 2 > Plot 1.
Plot 3 also has the most number trees measured
with 49 trees (Table 4). Among the trees, Bakawan

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Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 11. No. 1 (June 2008)
Table 2. Species composition and biometric description of the study sites.
Species

Frequency

DBH
Range
(cm)

Average
DBH (cm)

Total
Height
Range (m)

Average
Height (m)

Poctol
Xylocarpus granatum
Rhizophora mucronata
Rhizophora apiculata
Avicennia marina var.
rumphiana

51
51
6
5

5.0 42.0
5.5-25.5
11.5-24.0
10.8-33.0

11.2
13.3
17.2
19.5

3.0-12.0
4.0-14.0
4.0-8.0
7.0-9.0

6.1
6.6
6.7
8.0

3
2
3
2
1

12.5-31.0
23.0-34.0
6.5-14.5
39.0-45.5
56.0

22.4
28.5
11.3
42.25
56.0

7.0-15.0
9.0-10.0
5.0-8.0
11.0
9.0

10.7
9.5
6.7
11.0
9.0

10
9
6

6.5-47.5
19.5-84.5
10.5-53.5

32.0
44.4
39.4

3.5-9.0
6.0-10.0
4.0-9.0

5.8
7.3
6.3

6
3
3
2
2
1

6.0-23.0
33.0-48.5
28.0-33.0
30.0-32.0
25.0-48.0
13.0

14.8
39.6
31.0
31.0
37.7
13.0

4.0-5.0
4.5-9.0
6.0-8.0
5.0-8.0
6.0-7.0
3.0

4.4
6.5
6.7
6.5
6.5
3.0

Bruguiera parviflora
Avicennia officinalis
Aegiceras corniculatum
Sonneratia alba
Avicennia marina
Catmon
Ceriops decandra
Avicennia marina
Avicennia marina var.
rumphiana
Xylocarpus granatum
Sonneratia alba
Bruguiera parviflora
Aegiceras corniculatum
Ceriops tagal
Heritiera littoralis

Table 3. Biomass and carbon density distribution

in a Rhizophora-dominated stand in
Barangay Poctol, San Juan, Batangas
Carbon Pool

Biomass
Density
(Mg/ha)

Carbon
Density
(Mg/ha)

41.9

18.86

111.85
159.45
283.73
197.34

50.33
71.75
127.68
88.80

Mean

188.09
72.72a

84.64
32.72a

2. Belowground layer

766.24

11.95

Aboveground Subtotal
Belowground Subtotal

299.99
72.72
-

103.50
11.95

1. Aboveground Layer
A. Large Plot
B. Small Plot
Plot 1
Plot 2
Plot 3
Plot 4

TOTAL C stored

115.45

babae (Rhizophora mucronata) and Tabigi

(Xylocaropus granatum) are the most dominant
in terms of frequency and girth values.
Soil carbon density is highest in Plot 2 with
13.74 Mg/ha. Carbon density at this layer followed
a trend: Plot 2 > Plot 1 > Plot 4 > Plot 3 . The
total mean soil carbon density is 11.95 Mg/ha.
Avicennia-dominated stand in Barangay Catmon
The mean total carbon density of the Avicenniadominated stand in Barangay Catmon is 141.71
Mg/ha. Compared to the values obtained in
Barangay Poctol, biomass and carbon density at
this site can be largely attributed to the
measurements in the large plot layer with 259.05
mg/ha and 116.57 Mg/ha C (Table 5). From a
total of 45 trees measured in this site, 71% (30cm
dbh and above trees) was recorded at this layer.
Plot 3 has the highest biomass and carbon density
contribution at the small plot layer with 28.35

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem

in San Juan, Batangas

22

Table 4. Estimate of above-ground biomass and carbon density values of a large plot in Poctol, San Juan.
Species

Scientific Name

DBH (cm)

MH (m) TH (m) Biomass (kg)

Carbon
Density
(kg)

Pagatpat

Sonneratia alba L. Smith

39

11

978.11

440.15

Tabigi

Xylocarpus granatum Koen.

30

10

570.20

256.29

Tabigi

Xylocarpus granatum Koen.

42

1304.67

587.10

Langarai

Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb.) W.

& A. ex Griff.

31

15

818.28

368.22

Api-api

Avicennia officinalis L.

34

743.47

334.56

Bungalon

Avicennia marina (Forsk.)

Vierh.

56

2537.27

1141.77

Pagatpat

Sonneratia alba L. Smith

45.5

11

1429.14

643.11

Total (Mg/ha)

Mg/ha and 12.76 Mg/ha C. This was closely

followed by Plot 2 with 27.76 Mg/ha and 12.49
Mg/ha C. The distribution of biomass and carbon
density follow: Plot 3 > Plot 2 > Plot 4 > Plot 1.
Among the species observed, Bungalon
(Avicennia marina) has the highest biomass and
carbon density values with 3660.93 kg and
1647.42 kg C (Table 6). Other species co-dominating
Bungalon include Tangal (Ceriops tagal),
Malatangal (Ceriops decandra) and Piapi
(Avicennia marian var. rumphiana). Soil carbon
density is highest in Plot 4 with 17.77 Mg/ha C.
The distribution of soil carbon density followed a
trend: Plot 4 > Plot 1 > Plot 2 > Plot 3. The total
carbon stored at this layer was 15.92 Mg/ha.
The estimated total carbon density values
obtained from this study conforms very well to
the findings of Lasco et al. (2000) from a mixed
mangrove stands in Pagbilao, Quezon. Lasco et
al. (2000) estimated a mean total carbon density
of 176.8 Mg/ha vis--vis 128.58 Mg/ha for this
study. The significant difference between these
values is due to different carbon default values
employed. Lasco et al. (2000) used a carbon
content value of 50% while for this study 45%
was applied. This latter is based on a more recent
study conducted by Lasco et. al. in 2001.
Total carbon density values yielded in this
study also conform to the findings of Lugo et al.

Table 5. Biomass and carbon density distribution

in a Avicennia-dominated stand in Barangay
Catmon, San Juan, Batangas.
Carbon Pool

Biomass
Density
(Mg/ha)

Carbon
Density
(Mg/ha)

259.05

116.57

5.59
27.76
28.35
20.27

2.51
12.49
12.76
9.12

Mean

26.35
16.14 a

9.22
7.26 a

2. Belowground Layer

799.00

15.92

Aboveground Subtotal
Belowground Subtotal

285.40
799.00
-

125.79
15.92
141.71

1. Aboveground Layer
A. Large Plot
B. Small Plot
Plot 1
Plot 2
Plot 3
Plot 4

TOTAL C stored
a

standard deviation of the estimate (in Mg/ha)

(1990) on various mangrove forest stands lying

within 10o and 35o latitude. On the average, mangrove
at this range was computed to roughly 141.6 Mg/
ha. The closest per-site estimate, compared with
the findings from this study, include mangrove
stands in Phuket in Thailand at 18 o N (159.00
Mg/ha C), Boca Chica in Mexico at 18o 35 N
(135.00 Mg/ha C), and Hongkong (129.10 Mg/ha C).

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Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 11. No. 1 (June 2008)
Table 6. Estimate of above-ground biomass and carbon density values of a large plot in Catmon, San Juan.
Species

Scientific Name

DBH
(cm)

MH
(m)

TH
(m)

Biomass
(kg)

Carbon
Density
(kg)

Tangal

Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob.

48,25

3074.61

1383.57

Tangal

Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob.

40

1634.86

735.69

Malatangal
Malatangal
Malatangal
Bungalon

Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou

Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

47.5, 28
33.5
42.5
65

1
1
2
1.8

6
6
8
7

3174.91
1056.87
1897.80
3660.93

1428.71
475.59
854.01
1647.42

Bungalon

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

39

1.5

1041.94

468.87

Saging-saging

Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco

30

1.5

435.07

195.78

Bungalon
Bungalon
Malatangal
Pagatpat
Malatangal
Malatangal
Malatangal
Pagatpat
Piapi

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.
Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Sonneratia alba L. Smith
Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Sonneratia alba L. Smith
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh var.
rumphiana (Hallier) Bakh.

40.3
36
37
35
35
42.5
43
48.5
53

3
3
1.3
1
2
1
2.5
3
2

8
6
7
5
4
7
3.5
7.5
5

1129.47
855.71
1328.04
749.51
1177.12
1897.80
1953.19
1672.21
2215.86

508.26
385.07
597.62
337.28
529.70
854.01
878.94
752.50
997.14

Pagatpat
Piapi

Sonneratia alba L. Smith

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh var.
rumphiana (Hallier) Bakh.
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh var.
rumphiana (Hallier) Bakh.

33
48

2.5
2

4.5
6

648.50
1736.51

291.83
781.43

44

1.5

1401.90

630.86

Pagatpat
Langaray

Sonneratia alba L. Smith

Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb.) W. &
A. ex Griff.

42
33

5
3

9
8

1173.71
954.32

528.17
429.45

Saging-saging

Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco

32

1.5

504.98

227.24

Langaray

Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb.) W. &

A. ex Griff.

32

884.75

398.14

Bungalon

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

33

1.5

679.82

305.92

Bungalon

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

49

1.5

1797.75

808.99

Bungalon

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh var.
rumphiana (Hallier) Bakh.
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh var.
rumphiana (Hallier) Bakh.

84.5

10

6869.34

3091.20

30

546.44

245.90

53.5

1.5

2267.64

1020.44

Avicennia officinalis L.
Avicennia officinalis L.
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

49
36
33.5

2.5
1
2

7
6
7

1826.87
855.71
705.44

822.09
385.07
317.45

259.05

116.57

Piapi

Piapi
Piapi
Api-api
Api-api
Bungalon
Total (Mg/ha)

24

Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem

in San Juan, Batangas

ENFOR (2003) also obtained a very close

estimate for both Avicennia and Rhizophora
stands in Padre Burgos, Quezon. ENFOR (2003)
computed a carbon density of 139.07 Mg/ha for
the Avicennia stand while 141.71 Mg/ha from
this study, and 92.36 Mg/ha for Rhizophora stand
vs. 115.45 Mg/ha from this study. Overall, the
great similarity can be attributed to the very close
location of the study sites in which the Pagbilao
coast is connected to Verde Passage in the south.
In view of the overall potential of San Juans
mangrove forests (100 ha) in storing carbon, total
carbon density can be around 12,858 Mg.
Assuming further that at least that one-third of
the coastal area 298.5 ha that is currently devoted
for tourism will be rehabilitated to establish mangrove
stands, carbon density could reach as high as
25,652 Mg hence will have greater impact in
mitigating global warming.
CONCLUSION
The huge estimate of the total biomass and
carbon density suggests that the mangroves of
San Juan is currently in a healthy condition of
storing vast amount of atmospheric carbon.
Among the carbon pools, greater share of the
total biomass and carbon density were obtained
from the aboveground measurements. Soil
contributed to around 10% of the total carbon
density. Overall, the mangrove forest of San Juan
mangrove serves as a good carbon sink, hence
proper forest management and protection is
needed. As management interventions are not
currently being implemented to further ameliorate
the condition of the stands, the local government
should make immediate collaborative efforts with
private mangrove land owners to be able to protect
this areas from deforestation. The Bantay-Dagat
Program should also delve into exploring and
developing other degraded coastal sites to serve
as carbon sinks and fish sanctuaries. Further carbon
studies on other mangrove sites along the Verde
Passage is also recommended to be able to assess
the overall carbon storage potential of mangrove
stands in Batangas. The information that will be
distilled from these researches can also serve as
baselines for valuing the payments for environmental
services (PES) in which local communities could
benefit from protecting these mangroves.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to thank the following:
Conservation International-Philippines for funding
the research; the Environmental Forestry Programme
for the data analysis assistance; and the Local
Government of San Juan, Batangas for allowing
the conduct of the research.