Mapping 'Blue Carbon' in Cambodian Mangroves: A Case Study Analysis for the Koh Rong Archipelago

Mangrove forests, and other coastal ecosystems, are recognized for their role in climate change mitigation due to their significant potential for carbon storage and carbon sequestration. These ecosystems are some of the most threatened ecosystems on earth and are at risk of loss and degradation because of anthropogenic activities. Carbon financing mechanisms offer a way to help implement, finance and support the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems. This study focuses on conducting a Tier 1 blue carbon assessment for the Koh Rong Archipelago in Cambodia. Satellite images from Landsat TM and Landsat 8 OLI were used to create land cover classification maps for the archipelago for 2009 and 2020, respectively. Mangrove extent was derived from the classified maps in order to analyze the decadal change in mangrove forests and subsequent blue carbon stock for the archipelago. The results of this study represent an initial blue carbon assessment for the archipelago that can be expanded upon in future studies.红树林及其他沿海生态系统因其卓越的碳储存与碳封存潜力，在气候变化减缓方面的作用已获广泛认可。此类生态系统为全球受威胁程度最高的生态系统之一，且因人为活动面临退化与丧失风险。碳融资机制可为沿海生态系统的保护与修复工作提供实施、资金筹措及支持的可行路径。本研究聚焦于对柬埔寨高龙群岛（Koh Rong Archipelago）开展一级（Tier 1）蓝色碳（blue carbon）评估。研究分别采用陆地卫星（Landsat）TM与陆地卫星8号OLI获取的卫星影像，绘制了该群岛2009年与2020年的土地覆盖分类图。从上述分类图中提取红树林分布范围，以分析该群岛红树林的十年际变化及后续蓝色碳储量状况。本研究成果为该群岛的首次蓝色碳评估，可为后续相关研究提供拓展空间。