Comparative Analysis of Carbon Sequestration in Mangrove Forests of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province

Abstract Mangrove forests are known to mitigate coastal climate change by sequestering carbon. This study aimed to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of the ` Avicennia marina` mangrove forests in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, focusing on Ras Tanura, Safwa, and Tarut Island. We examined plant and soil organic carbon (POC and SOC) accumulation across these sites, with samples analyzed for bulk density and total organic carbon stocks were calculated using the International Standards formulae; the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Ras Tanura, with its prominent flood plain mangrove ecosystem, showed the highest plant carbon stock at 21.417 tons/ha, followed by Safwa and Tarut Island (17.168 and 14.341 tons/ha, respectively). Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations were highest in Ras Tanura (84.8 tons/ha), with Safwa and Tarut Island showing 63.4 and 48.5 tons/ha, respectively, corresponding to densities of 9–28 kg/m³. Significant statistical differences (P < 0.001) were observed between the sites. These findings emphasize the critical role of mangrove forests in the Saudi Arabian carbon cycle and the broader carbon economy, highlighting the need for improved management and long-term monitoring of coastal ecosystems to enhance their sustainability. Ways required to protect mangrove forests are concluded.