Plot and landscape-level estimates of tree biomass and carbon stocks in Panama’s mangrove Important Bird Areas

We present raw tree inventory data from 41 permanent plots in mangrove forests located in two Important Bird Areas along Panama's Pacific coast: the Bay of Parita and the Bay of Panama. The dataset provides measurements for estimating aboveground biomass and carbon stocks in living trees, following standard inventory guidelines. In addition, we present continuous maps for aboveground biomass and carbon density for the study areas. These data help address uncertainties in Panama's mangrove carbon stock estimates, currently ranging from 25 to 71 MtC, by providing ground-based measurements and landscape-level estimates. The measurements also enable validation of landscape-scale remote sensing approaches, such as NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), essential for regional carbon mapping. As Panama's primary carbon sink is the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry sector, and the country has included mangrove restoration in its Nationally Determined Contributions, this dataset contributes to national climate strategies. Furthermore, it can serve as a foundation for developing a regional carbon monitoring database for Central American and Caribbean countries currently conducting mangrove inventories.