Blue Carbon Stock and Green Tea Potential in Mangroves of Coral Triangle Eco-Region, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract: This study aimed to elucidate the potential roles of mangroves as blue carbon stock and green tea material in coral triangle eco-region, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Blue carbon stock in mangroves organs of leaves, branches and stems was estimated including Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata and Ceriops tagal, while the compounds of catechin, simple polyphenol and flavonoid as green tea materials were analysed in their leaves. Results showed that high aboveground carbon stock (ton ha-1) was found in protected mangroves forest, which were estimated as 96.83 for C. tagal, 369.71 for R. apiculata and 146.75 for R. mucronata. On the other hand, low blue carbon stock was found in unprotected mangrove forest, which estimated as 81.197 (ton ha-1) for R. apiculata, 116.399 (ton ha-1) for R. mucronata and 22.842 (ton ha-1) for C. tagal forests. It seemed that higher blue carbon loss was happen in unprotected mangrove forest, which approximated about 73.99 (ton ha-1) in C. tagal forest and 299.51 (ton ha-1) in R. apiculata forest. Low blue carbon stock on unprotected mangrove due to land conversion and illegal logging, which will have negatively impact on productivity of coastal areas in this region. On the other hand, higher blue carbon stock indicated pure stands or undisturbed mangrove areas, which will support the coastal productivity. However, the mangroves in this coral triangle eco-region have potentiality as green tea material as of Ceriops sp contains compounds of 1.83% catechin, 5.58% simple polyphenol and 1.13% flavonoid, while the R. apiculata contains 0.81% of catechin and 4.81% of simple polyphenol. Similarly, the R. mucronata contains 1.14% of catechin and 6.41% of simple polyphenol. Therefore, the mangroves in the coral triangle ecoregion are important as blue carbon stock and might be potential to use as green tea material.