La reserva de carbono en los manglares que bordean el sistema estuarino de San Blas-laguna Grande de Mexcaltitán, Nayarit, México en el periodo de 1980-2015, definió 3 zonas ambientales con base en las diferentes presiones antrópicas y cantidad de carbono almacenado en la biomasa arbórea y en el suelo. Estas zonas muestran diferenciascon respecto a los comportamientos en amplitud y tiempo de residencia del agua intersticial. La biomasa y carbono (aéreo y subterráneo), así como el secuestro de carbono en el suelo a 20 cm de profundidad se incrementó de la zona sur a la norte. Estos parámetros indican valores bajos, comparados con reportes de diversos autores en manglares de tipo primario. Lo anterior, causado por la pérdida de la estructura y función del ecosistema, se define como bosques secundarios, con desplazamiento de Rhizophora mangle por Avicennia germinans y Laguncularia racemosa. Razón por la cual es fundamental generar información que permita confirmar el estado de conservación del ecosistema, considerando la capacidad de captura y secuestro de carbono, así como su valor monetario y pérdida. Se calcula, para esta investigación, un valor monetario por almacén de carbono arbóreo del manglar de $4,431,826.7 dólares americanos por ton CO2 ha-1; con pérdidas de $132,414.3 dólares americanos por ton CO2 ha-1 en 1980-2015.

Invasive plant species pose an increasing threat to mangroves globally. This study assessed the impact of Paspalum vaginatum invasion on carbon loss and early recovery following four years of restoration in a mangrove forest with Rhizophora racemosa in Benin. Organic carbon was quantified in the total biomass, including both aboveground and belowground components, as well as in the soil to a depth of −50 cm. In addition, soil gas fluxes of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O were measured. Three sites were evaluated: a conserved mangrove, a site degraded by P. vaginatum, and the same site post-restoration via hydrological rehabilitation and reforestation. Invasion significantly reduced carbon storage, especially in soil, due to lower biomass, incorporation of low C/N ratio organic residues, and compaction. Restoration recovered 7.8% of the total biomass carbon compared to the conserved mangrove site, although soil organic carbon did not rise significantly in the short term. However, improvements in deep soil C/N ratios (15–30 and 30–50 cm) suggest enhanced soil organic matter recalcitrance linked to R. racemosa reforestation. Soil CO₂ emissions dropped by 60% at the restored site, underscoring restoration’s potential to mitigate early carbon loss. These results highlight the need to control invasive species and suggest that restoration can generate additional social benefits.

Mangrove ecosystems face significant threats from climate change and human activities. In West Benin, the invasive grass Paspalum vaginatum disrupts sedimentation and hydrology, creating anoxic conditions and nutrient imbalances. To address this, we implemented a cost‐effective restoration strategy focused on hydrological repair, engaging local communities to excavate 26 artificial channels and clear 19 existing ones, restoring tidal flow to 30 ha of degraded mangrove forest. Of this, 20 ha were planted with Rhizophora racemosa propagules, while 10 ha remained unplanted due to unsuitable micro‐topographic conditions. This intervention, costing $1394.3 USD per hectare, adjusted sediment levels to match natural micro‐topography, enabling hydrological recovery and suppressing P. vaginatum. The return of Sesuvium portulacastrum stabilized sediments, improved nutrient retention, and facilitated mangrove regeneration. Over 24 months, restoration efforts improved physicochemical parameters, reduced ammonium and acidity, and supported the planting of 250,000 R. racemosa propagules at 25 propagules/m² across 20 ha. At 785 days post‐planting, survival reached 90%, promoting natural recolonization by mangroves along channel edges and by S. portulacastrum in adjacent unplanted areas. The 10 ha not reforested exhibited low P. vaginatum colonization, reinforcing the effectiveness of hydrological repair. This study presents a scalable, low‐cost restoration model that integrates hydrological repair and pioneer species facilitation to enhance mangrove recovery. While still in early recovery, this community‐driven approach establishes a strong foundation for long‐term ecological restoration.

Mangrove ecosystems store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, degradation processes associated with invasive species can alter vegetation structure, hydrological conditions, and carbon cycling, with uncertain consequences for SOC storage and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated changes in SOC stocks to 0–50 cm depth, soil CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O fluxes, and early restoration responses four years after ecological restoration in the Térraba–Sierpe National Wetland, Costa Rica. Comparisons were conducted among a conserved mangrove, a degraded mangrove dominated by Acrostichum aureum, and three restored sites subjected to hydrological rehabilitation with contrasting reforestation intensities. The degraded site showed significantly higher SOC contents (171 ± 31 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.0001) compared to the conserved site (103 ± 26 Mg C ha⁻¹). CO₂ fluxes did not differ significantly between March and October. CH₄ and N₂O fluxes remained below the detection limits in most measurements. Redundancy analysis identified a significant association between vegetation composition and the measured environmental variables (p = 0.005). Higher CO₂ emissions were associated with the dominance of A. aureum. Plant density was positively related to SOC content (R² = 0.78). MR1 site, where hydrological rehabilitation was combined with high-density reforestation, had significantly higher SOC content than the degraded site (242 ± 24.3 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.001). Soil CO₂ emissions at MR1 were also significantly lower than at the degraded site (p = 0.001). This study provides a pioneering field assessment of mangrove restoration through the control of A. aureum invasion. The results suggest that restoration design may influence soil carbon storage during the early stages of recovery.