Gambesi Mangrove Forest Stores Carbon Equivalent to 735.72 Tonnes of CO₂ per Hectare

Image: article cover, from Arif et al. (2026), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY 4.0.

A research team from Khairun University has measured the carbon stocks of the mangrove forest in Gambesi, Gambesi Sub-district, South Ternate District, Ternate City, North Maluku. The study found that the 500-square-metre mangrove forest at the observation site stores 200.47 tonnes of above-ground carbon per hectare, equivalent to 735.72 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare. Meanwhile, the soil organic carbon beneath it reaches 391.18 tonnes per hectare, equivalent to 1,435.64 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare. These findings are significant because the Gambesi mangrove forest is one of the remaining mangroves on Ternate Island and is under constant threat from land conversion, household waste, and coastal erosion.

The forest is dominated by two mangrove species, Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia alba. According to the study published in the Wasian Journal, the stand at this location is relatively young, with an average stem diameter of 14.76 centimetres. Nevertheless, mangroves still store substantial amounts of carbon, both in their stems and roots and in the soil. The researchers noted that tidal movements also carry sediment rich in organic matter, which becomes trapped among the mangrove roots, thereby enhancing the forest's capacity to sequester carbon.

For the coastal communities of Ternate, the Gambesi mangrove forest serves as a natural barrier against erosion and waves, as well as a breeding ground for fish and crabs. This study underscores that efforts to conserve the remaining mangroves represent a tangible contribution by the region to sustainable development goals, particularly climate change action, protection of coastal ecosystems, and preservation of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the research team cautions that carbon data for Gambesi remain limited and that broader field surveys are needed.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Estimation of Carbon Stock in Gambesi Mangrove Ecosystem as an Action Toward Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by Nurfadhilah Arif, Sabaruddin B, Jauhar Mukti and Much Hidayah Marasabessy, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 13 No. 02 (2026). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Arif, N., B, S., Mukti, J., & Marasabessy, M. H. (2026). Estimation of Carbon Stock in Gambesi Mangrove Ecosystem as an Action Toward Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Jurnal Wasian, 13(02), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.62142/5weq4150

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY 4.0.