Ecosystem Monitoring
Mangrove forest monitoring from tree surveys to carbon stock assessment
Monitor mangrove forests with diameter at breast height surveys, fauna observations, and eDNA sampling. Track forest growth, calculate above-ground carbon stocks, and connect field data to blue carbon credit methodologies.
What you can monitor
Tree growth and DBH
Measure diameter at breast height for individual trees within permanent plots. Track annual growth increments, calculate basal area, and estimate above-ground biomass using species-specific allometric equations.
Carbon stock: above and below-ground
Calculate total carbon stocks from tree measurements and root biomass estimates. Above-ground biomass is derived from DBH measurements, while below-ground biomass uses established root-to-shoot ratios for mangrove species.
eDNA biodiversity sampling
Collect environmental DNA samples from water and sediment within mangrove habitats. eDNA analysis reveals species presence without direct observation, capturing cryptic and rare fauna diversity.
Fauna and indicator species
Record fauna observations including crabs, mudskippers, birds, and other species that indicate mangrove ecosystem health. Faunal diversity reflects habitat quality and functional connectivity.
Reproductive status and recruitment
Monitor propagule production, seedling establishment, and natural regeneration within plots. Recruitment patterns indicate forest health and long-term sustainability of the mangrove stand.
Human pressure context
Integrate satellite-derived land use data, human settlement layers, and coastal change detection with field observations. Identify deforestation pressure, aquaculture conversion, and urban encroachment near monitoring sites.
Mangrove protocols
Carbon stock assessment
Mangrove forests store three to five times more carbon per hectare than most terrestrial forests. MariMap calculates above-ground biomass from tree DBH measurements using species-specific allometric equations, and estimates below-ground biomass via established root-to-shoot ratios. Track changes in carbon pools over time and generate the field data required for blue carbon credit verification under VCS, Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo methodologies.
Environmental data for mangroves
CMEMS Coastal Data
DailyTidal patterns, sea surface temperature, and salinity data from the Copernicus Marine Service. Monitor oceanographic conditions that influence mangrove zonation and growth.
CLMS Land Cover
Annual updateCopernicus Land Monitoring Service data showing land use and land cover changes in mangrove catchments. Detect deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization pressures.
GHSL Human Settlement
Multi-year updateGlobal Human Settlement Layer data indicating population density and built-up area near mangrove sites. Quantify human pressure gradients for conservation planning.
CMEMS Ocean Colour
DailyChlorophyll-a and water quality indicators from the Copernicus Marine Service for assessing coastal water conditions near mangrove sites.
Ready to put MariMap to work?
Talk to our team about your monitoring programme, or start exploring the platform right away.