Unveiling Brazil's Mangrove Soil Health: Implications for Carbon Sequestration and Conservation Strategies

• Grant number: 24/18195-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Hermano Melo Queiroz
• Grantee: Hermano Melo Queiroz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Célia Regina Montes ; Débora Martins de Freitas ; Emerson Galvani ; Luis Americo Conti ; Maurício Roberto Cherubin ; Tiago Osório Ferreira

Abstract

Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems that provide critical ecosystem services, including climate regulation and carbon sequestration. The capacity of mangrove soils to store carbon is closely tied to their biogeochemical functioning, which is influenced by geoclimatic factors (e.g., geology, tidal variation, temperature, precipitation) and the conservation status of mangrove forests. Consequently, carbon storage potential is intrinsically linked to soil health and quality, which reflect the overall functioning of these ecosystems. While various tools exist to assess soil quality, an integrated approach combining physical, chemical, and biological analyses with geoclimatic data can provide more accurate and comprehensive insights. This study aims to evaluate variations in soil health and quality across Brazilian mangroves and their implications for carbon storage and ecosystem service provision. Soil samples will be collected from diverse geoclimatic regions and land-use scenarios, followed by physical, chemical, and biological analyses. Geological and climatic data will be integrated with soil parameters to develop a soil health and quality index through multivariate statistical analysis that reflects the potential for carbon accumulation. Mathematical models, including the Coastal Blue Carbon InVEST model, will be used to quantify carbon storage potential, linking it to the soil quality index. Additionally, remote sensing and GIS tools will be employed to map the current conservation status and land use of Brazilian mangroves. By combining soil health assessments, carbon storage estimates, and remote sensing data, this study will produce the first national-scale survey of mangrove soil health and quality. This comprehensive approach will address a critical gap in understanding the variability of mangrove soils under different environmental conditions, providing valuable insights for conservation strategies, restoration efforts, and climate change mitigation. The findings will support policymakers, environmental managers, and stakeholders in prioritizing actions to enhance mangrove conservation and optimize carbon sequestration potential. (AU)