Mangrove ecosystems in the Niger Delta are fast being overtaken by Nipa Palm. Are Nipa forest types with the same capacity to sequester carbon like Mangroves?
May be not. As organic carbon sequestration by woody biomass always become greater than non wood vegetation, Nypa fruticens may not compensate OC loss due to the replacement of original mangroves.
By the way, have u measured OC percentage of Nypa sp. for ur site? How was the density covered?
Palm replacement of mangroves is a typical type of mangrove losses. Unfortunately, this replacement may result in lower carbon sequestration potential in comparison with mangroves or salt marshes. You can find the answer in my review paper as below.