Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
Temporary Shift from Net CO2 Uptake to Net CO2 Release During the Southwest Monsoon in a Tropical Mangrove Forest
Maricar Aguilos1, Renato Bacsal2, Rustum Aguilos2
1Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
Abstract:
Mangrove forests are important blue-carbon ecosystems, but their atmosphere-surface CO2 exchange can vary over short time scales in response to environmental conditions. This study examined CO2 exchange in the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, Siargao Island, Philippines, using PhilFlux eddy covariance and micrometeorological observations from March 2025 to February 2026. We analyzed diurnal, daily, and monsoon-season patterns of gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (RE), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE). The tower footprint showed net CO2 uptake during most of the observation period. August 2025 was the only month with positive aggregated NEE (19 g C m-2 month-1; 95% CI: -22 g C m-2 month-1 to 62 g C m-2 month-1). During August, monthly GPP was 158 g C m-2 month-1; 95% CI: 130-189 g C m-2 month-1 and monthly RE was 177 g C m-2 month-1; 95% CI: 135-226 g C m-2 month-1. Sixteen of 31 days showed positive NEE, mainly from 8 to 24 August. We therefore interpret this as a temporary positive-NEE episode rather than a month-wide or lasting reversal of CO2 uptake. The episode coincided with dry conditions during the Southwest Monsoon. Environmental analyses identified several variables associated with variation in NEE, GPP, and RE, but these relationships are interpreted as statistical associations rather than causal effects. Since the study covers only one annual cycle, longer-term observations are needed to determine whether similar events recur. Continued flux monitoring is needed to better understand the stability of mangrove CO2 exchange through time.
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Marine Microbial Ecology
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
Lagging Strand Synthesis
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
Lagging Strand Synthesis
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...

