Summary:

- A study has found that planted mangrove forests in Singapore store significantly less carbon compared to natural mangrove forests. Researchers measured the carbon stored in the soil, roots, and aboveground biomass of both planted and natural mangrove forests.

- The study showed that natural mangrove forests stored up to 1,100 tonnes of carbon per hectare, while planted mangrove forests stored only about 500 tonnes per hectare. This is due to the older age and more complex structure of natural mangrove ecosystems.

- The findings suggest that while planted mangroves can provide some ecosystem services, they are not a direct substitute for natural mangrove forests in terms of carbon storage. Preserving and restoring natural mangrove habitats is crucial for maximizing the carbon sequestration potential of these coastal ecosystems.