Mangrove forests are efficient at storing carbon along the tropical and sub-tropical coastlines. However, in countries with high deforestation rates mangrove forests can represent a significant carbon source to the atmosphere rather than a carbon sink. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine influence of anthropogenic and natural disturbance regimes on mangrove carbon stocks. We used relevant literature published between 1980 and 2017 by screening 4,849 articles and selecting 21 independent publications. We found that anthropogenic disturbance reduces carbon stocks of aboveground biomass (mean ± standard deviation : 63 ± 12 Mg C ha-1) and soil (259 ± 24 Mg C ha-1), whereas natural disturbance resulted in a gain in aboveground carbon stocks of 38 ± 6 Mg C ha-1. The largest carbon loss was observed from mangrove conversion into aquaculture ponds. Conversion to aquaculture resulted in a 10-fold loss of carbon stocks relative to the rest of other disturbance interventions. Therefore, preventing further conversion and supporting sustainable aquaculture is important to limit mangrove carbon stock loss and emissions globally. The database and findings of this study are essential to improve current national and global qua