Quantification and Valuation of Climate Regulation Ecosystem Services Using the InVEST Blue Carbon Model in the Khorkhoran International Wetland Reserve

Mohammadyari, Fatemeh; Zarandian, Ardavan; Ramezani Mehrian, Majid; Mousazadeh, Roya

doi:10.22059/ije.2025.399269.1878

Quantification and Valuation of Climate Regulation Ecosystem Services Using the InVEST Blue Carbon Model in the Khorkhoran International Wetland Reserve

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

² Environmental assessment and risks group, Research centre for environment and sustainable development, Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Environmental Studies, The Institute for Research and Development in the Humanities (SAMT), Tehran, Iran

⁴ Research Group of Environmental Economics, Research Center for Environment and Sustainable Development (RCESD), Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/ije.2025.399269.1878

Abstract

Research Topic: Assessing the potential of Khorkhoran International Mangrove Wetland Habitats in Providing Ecosystem Services.
Objective: Quantifies and values the blue carbon storage and sequestration ecosystem service as a climate change adaptation strategy.
Method: In this study, the InVEST Blue Carbon model was employed to simulate carbon storage and sequestration services within the coastal mangrove forests of Khorkhoran. Input data comprised land use/ land cover maps, carbon pool inventories, biomass carbon, soil carbon, and disturbance rates. The social cost of carbon method was also used to value this ecosystem service.
Results: Between 2000–2020, each hectare of mangrove forests in the study area sequestered an average of 10,510,000 tons of CO₂. Total carbon sequestration from 2000–2050 was estimated at 23,122,400.79 Mt, equating to an average release of 954,000 tons of CO₂ per hectare over this period mangrove forests in the study area. The annual economic value of blue carbon sequestration also, across the Khorkhoran International Wetland sub-basins was valued at 176,241,001,299,200 Rials (approx. USD 4.2 million*).
Conclusions: Decision-makers can leverage the results of this research to support protective measures that preserve mangroves while enhancing co-benefits like water quality and ecosystem health.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Climate Change

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