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Stomatal Frequency and Carbon Loading Capacity of Mangrove
Species in Barangay Sta. Ana and Tanagan, Calatagan, Batangas

Gilbert D. Macalindong

Cavite State University-General Trias City Campus, Cavite

Mangrove forest were five times efficient carbon sinks than any terrestrial
ecosystem. This study generally was carried out to determine the stomatal
frequency and carbon loading capacity of mangrove species in barangay Sta.
Ana, and Tanagan, Calatagan, Batangas. Epidermal cell and stomata from the
leaf samples of different mangrove species were counted and stomatal

frequency was computed following the Salisbury formula. DBH, height and the
biomass were measured to determine the carbon loading capacity of each
mangrove species in both sampling sites. There were four mangrove species
identified in barangay Sta. Ana namely, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneracia
alba, Avicennia marina, and Lumnitzera racemosa, while all three except L.
racemosa were found in barangay Tanagan, Calatagan, Batangas. A. marina

has the highest stomatal frequency (sf) of 43.37% and R. apiculata has the least
SF of 36.73% among the four species. For the carbon loading capacity of
mangrove species, S. alba has accounted carbon loading capacity of
1,105,759.721g/cm for 127 individuals in brgy. Sta. Ana and 17,544,871.4g/cm
for 28 individuals in brgy. Tanagan which appears to be the highest among all
mangroves surveyed. L. racemosa had the least total CLC of 12,840.6915g/cm
for 5 individuals in brgy. Sta Ana. A. marina on the other hand obtained the

least CLC of 6,618,908.909g/cm for 11 individuals in brgy. Tanagan. As to
relationship of stomatal frequency and carbon loading capacity, result
shows negative correlation (-0.03) between the carbon loading capacity
and stomatal frequency indicating that the number of stomata had no
relationship as to the amount of carbon a mangrove species can sequester.

Instead, the amount of carbon load is dependent on the age or how long a tree
existed on a particular ecosystem. The older the tree, the greater the amount
of carbon storage. However, similar study is recommended to be conducted
correlating the same species with same age structure to support current findings
on the relationship of stomata to carbon loading capacity of mangrove species.

CAVCAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY-
T3 IN-HOUSE REVIEW 2018