DIVERSITY OF WOODY PLANT SPECIES AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN COMPARTMENT 11, 12, 13 OF THE CAN GIO MANGROVE BIOSPHERE RESERVE, HO CHI MINH CITY

Abstract

Biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity of forest trees have been two primary inventory factors of sustained research interest in recent years. Through an investigation of silvicultural characteristics conducted across 90 random sample plots in subzones 11, 12, and 13 from June 2024 to June 2025, biological indices and carbon sequestration levels within the study area were evaluated. The study recorded 21 species belonging to 13 genera and 10 families, with an average density of 1,961 ± 656 trees/ha. The highest total number of individuals was recorded for Ceriops decandra, Rhizophora apiculata, and Avicennia marina at 1,385, 907, and 545 individuals, respectively (accounting for 33.2%, 21.8%, and 13.1%). However, the highest Importance Value Indices (IVI%) were observed in A. marina (23.6%) and R. apiculata (22.8%). The highest mean biological indices were: Shannon (H’_e) = 2.00 ± 0.18; Pielou (J’) = 0.93 ± 0.09; Simpson lambda (D) = 0.77 ± 0.11; and Margalef (d) = 1.34 ± 0.27. The H’_e, D and d indices showed statistically significant differences at a 95% confidence level between subzones. Average above-ground carbon sequestration in subzones 11, 12, and 13 was 41.32 ± 8.45, 46.41 ± 9.34, and 54.58 ± 8.34 tons C/ha, respectively. The research findings provide a robust scientific foundation for strategic efforts aimed at enhancing biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential within the forest ecosystem in the future.