How Does the Blue C Stock Vary in Restored and Degraded Wetlands across Land Cover Mosaics? Evidences from Medinipur Coastal Plain, India

Coastal wetlands are of paramount importance as major reservoirs of blue carbon (C), playing a crucial role in providing nature-based solutions to mitigate climatic changes. This research aimed to analyse the dynamics of total blue C (TBC) and its components; viz. soil organic C (SOC), below ground C, and above ground C; as well how they are influenced by land use/ land cover (LULC) categories and wetland situations. Subsequently, study were identified as one restored wetland and another degraded wetland in the Medinipur Coastal Plain, India. The LULC categories were analyzed using Pleiades 1A and 1B satellite imagery, corresponding to the restored and degraded wetland, respectively. The quantification of SOC was based on point-specific sample data collected from both wetlands (nr=250; nd=84). Above ground biomass (AGB) was appraised employing allometric relationships involving field-measured dendrometric variables. Below ground biomass values were calculated using indirect allometric equations that take into account the AGB values. Integrating all the components, TBC stock of the restored and degraded wetlands were estimated at 246710.91 Mg and 7865.49 Mg, respectively. In the restored wetland, dense mangrove and open mangrove exhibited higher concentrations of blue C components, while other LULC categories demonstrated moderate to low densities. In the degraded wetland, the open mangrove category rec-high densities of C pools, whereas herbaceous vegetation, bare earth and sand, and waterbody exhibited lower concentrations. The results portrayed significant disparities (P<0.05) in blue C pools among different LULC categories in both wetlands. Furthermore, it was evident that wetland type and LULC category had notable (P<0.001) impacts on TBC dynamics, both individually and in combination. Overall, this research may aid in effective management of coastal wetlands as blue C sinks, emphasizing their significance as essential elements of climate mitigation strategies.