CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE SEAGRASS MEADOWS OF MALINDI MARINE PARK AND RESERVE, KENYA
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) sinks sequestering about 10% of the
annual organic carbon (Corg) burial in the global oceans. Corg sequestered by seagrass beds in
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is poorly
understood.The purpose of the study was to determine carbon sequestration in living seagrass
biomass and sediments in the seagrass meadows of Malindi Marine Park (MMP) and Malindi
Marine Reserve (MMR). Seagrass was sampled using 10 cm x 10 cm, 20 cm long corer
while sediments was sampled using a PVC corer 2 cm diameter, 20 cm long during South
East Monsoon (SEM) and North East Monsoon (NEM). Seagrass biomass was determined
and converted into Corg while sediment Corg was determined by loss on ignition (LOI).
Results showed that the dominant seagrass species was Thalassodendron ciliatum with over
80% cover. Other seagrass species present in MMP and MMR were Thalassia hemprichii,
Enhalus acoroides, Syringodium isoetifolium and Halophila ovalis. There were significant
differences in the mean Corg storage in living seagrass biomass between MMP and MMR
during SEM for both the exposed are as (t 10 = -3.489, p = 0.006) and NEM (t 10 = -10.677, p
< 0.0001) and in submerged areas (SEM t 10 = -2.385, p = 0.038) and (NEM t 10 = -7.95, p <
0.0001). There were no significant differences in the mean sediment Corg between MMP and
MMR during SEM (t 6.139 = 2.02, p = 0.089) and NEM (t 10 = 2.112 p < 0.061) in the exposed
areas and in submerged areas during SEM (t 10 = 1.908, p = 0.085) and NEM (t 10 = -1.73, p <
0.114). The data provide an insight on factors influencing the potential of seagrass meadows
to significantly sequester Corg in MPAs. Therefore, there is need for an integrated ecosystem
approach to seagrass management for improved livelihoods to coastal communities and
global climate change mitigation.