Climate Change and Forest Carbon Storage in Malaysia: A Focus on Mangrove Forests

Abstract

Mangrove forests are crucial for mitigating climate change due to their ability to sequester carbon in both biomass and soil. However, the impacts of climate change on mangrove carbon storage in Malaysia are not well understood. This study investigates the effects of rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns on carbon storage in mangrove forests along the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Using a combination of field measurements, remote sensing, and carbon flux modeling, we assessed above- and below-ground carbon stocks in three mangrove sites with varying exposure to climate change. The results revealed that although mangroves are resilient to short-term temperature fluctuations, prolonged heat stress and altered rainfall patterns significantly reduced soil carbon storage by decreasing the organic matter accumulation in the sediment. Additionally, mangrove species composition shifted with increasing salinity and temperature, affecting the carbon sequestration capacity of different species. The study highlights the importance of maintaining healthy mangrove ecosystems as critical carbon sinks and calls for adaptive forest management strategies that incorporate climate change projections. The findings provide key insights for Malaysian policymakers and global conservation efforts aimed at enhancing the role of coastal forests in climate change mitigation.