Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Substantial Blue Carbon Sequestration In The World’S Largest Seagrass Meadow, Chuancheng Fu, Sofia Frappi, Michelle N. Havlik, Wells Howe, S. David Harris, Elisa Laiolo, Austin J. Gallagher, Pere Masqué, Carlos M. Duarte

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass meadows are important sinks for organic carbon and provide co-benefits. However, data on the organic carbon stock in seagrass sediments are scarce for many regions, particularly The Bahamas, which accounts for up to 40.7% of the documented global seagrass area, limiting formulation of blue carbon strategies. Here, we sampled 10 seagrass meadows across an extensive island chain in The Bahamas. We estimate that Bahamas seagrass meadows store 0.42–0.59 Pg organic carbon in the top-meter sediments with an accumulation rate of 2.1–2.9 Tg annually, representing a substantial global blue carbon hotspot. Autochthonous organic carbon in sediments decreased from ~1980 onwards, …

Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems In The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean Are An Unexploited Opportunity For Climate Change Mitigation, Vanessa Hatje, Margareth Copertino, Vinicius F. Patire, Ximena Ovando, Josiah Ogbuka, Beverly J. Johnson, Hilary Kennedy, Pere Masque, Joel C. Creed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vegetated coastal ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes, often called Blue Carbon ecosystems) store large carbon stocks. However, their regional carbon inventories, sequestration rates, and potential as natural climate change mitigation strategies are poorly constrained. Here, we systematically review organic carbon storage and accumulation rates in vegetated coastal ecosystems across the Central and Southwestern Atlantic, extending from Guyana (08.28°N) to Argentina (55.14°S). We estimate that 0.4 Pg organic carbon is stored in the region, which is approximately 2-5% of global carbon stores in coastal vegetated systems, and that they accumulate 0.5 to 3.9 Tg carbon annually. By ecosystem type, mangroves have …

An Australian Blue Carbon Method To Estimate Climate Change Mitigation Benefits Of Coastal Wetland Restoration, Catherine E. Lovelock, Maria F. Adame, Jennifer Bradley, Sabine Dittmann, Valerie Hagger, Sharyn M. Hickey, Lindsay B. Hutley, Alice Jones, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Paul S. Lavery, Peter I. Macreadie, Damien T. Maher, Soraya Mcginley, Alice Mcglashan, Sarah Perry, Luke Mosley, Kerrylee Rogers, James Z. Sippo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Restoration of coastal wetlands has the potential to deliver both climate change mitigation, called blue carbon, and adaptation benefits to coastal communities, as well as supporting biodiversity and providing additional ecosystem services. Valuing carbon sequestration may incentivize restoration projects; however, it requires development of rigorous methods for quantifying blue carbon sequestered during coastal wetland restoration. We describe the development of a blue carbon accounting model (BlueCAM) used within the Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Methodology Determination 2022 of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), which is Australia's voluntary carbon market scheme. The new BlueCAM uses Australian data to estimate abatement …

Potential Role Of Seaweeds In Climate Change Mitigation, Finnley W.R. Ross, Philip W. Boyd, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Kenta Watanabe, Alejandra Ortega, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Catherine Lovelock, Calvyn F.A. Sondak, Lennart T. Bach, Carlos M. Duarte, Oscar Serrano, John Beardall, Patrick Tarbuck, Peter I. Macreadie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seaweed (macroalgae) has attracted attention globally given its potential for climate change mitigation. A topical and contentious question is: Can seaweeds' contribution to climate change mitigation be enhanced at globally meaningful scales? Here, we provide an overview of the pressing research needs surrounding the potential role of seaweed in climate change mitigation and current scientific consensus via eight key research challenges. There are four categories where seaweed has been suggested to be used for climate change mitigation: 1) protecting and restoring wild seaweed forests with potential climate change mitigation co-benefits; 2) expanding sustainable nearshore seaweed aquaculture with potential climate change …

Ranking The Risk Of Co2 Emissions From Seagrass Soil Carbon Stocks Under Global Change Threats, Martin Dahl, Kathryn Mcmahon, Paul S. Lavery, Serena H. Hamilton, Catherine E. Lovelock, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass meadows are natural carbon storage hotspots at risk from global change threats, and their loss can result in the remineralization of soil carbon stocks and CO2 emissions fueling climate change. Here we used expert elicitation and empirical evidence to assess the risk of CO2 emissions from seagrass soils caused by multiple human-induced, biological and climate change threats. Judgments from 41 experts were synthesized into a seagrass CO2 emission risk score based on vulnerability factors (i.e., spatial scale, frequency, magnitude, resistance and recovery) to seagrass soil organic carbon stocks. Experts perceived that climate change threats (e.g., gradual ocean warming and …

Blue Carbon Opportunities: Seagrass Carbon Storage And Accumulation Rates At Roxas, Palawan, The Philippines, Paul Lavery, Anna Lafratta, Jessa Marie Caabay, Reynante Ramilo, Helbert G. Garay, Maricar Daquioag, Oscar Serrano, Pere Masque´

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Report prepared as a contribution to the IKI Project “Conservation of biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems and their services – safeguarding food security and resilience in vulnerable coastal communities in a changing climate”

The IKI Project is a partnership between the CMS, Edith Cowan University, Project Seagrass, Seagrass Watch, Murdoch University, MRS, Blue Ventures, SAN, C3, ZSL, MareCet and Yapeka. The collaboration enhances the understanding of seagrass ecosystem services and the capacity to develop and deliver science-based policy solutions in seagrass conservation. It brings together scientists, policy experts, business development experts and conservation NGOs across the globe to provide expert and independent …

Blue Carbon Opportunities: Seagrass Carbon Storage And Accumulation Rates At Trang, Thailand, Paul Lavery, Anna Lafratta, Rujinun Palahan, Maneewan Sanlee, Milica Stankovic, Janmanee Panyawai, Oscar Serrano, Pere Masque´

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Report prepared as a contribution to the IKI Project “Conservation of biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems and their services – safeguarding food security and resilience in vulnerable coastal communities in a changing climate” funded through the International Klimate Initiative (IKI).

The IKI Project is a partnership between the CMS, Edith Cowan University, Project Seagrass, Seagrass Watch, Murdoch University, MRS, Blue Ventures, SAN, C3, ZSL, MareCet and Yapeka. The collaboration enhances the understanding of seagrass ecosystem services and the capacity to develop and deliver science-based policy solutions in seagrass conservation. It brings together scientists, policy experts, business development experts and conservation NGOs across …

Blue Carbon Opportunities: Seagrass Carbon Storage And Accumulation Rates At North Minahasa And Sangihe Island, Indonesia, Paul Lavery, Anna Lafratta, Akbar Ario Digdo, Abie Ariyo Dandoro, Citra Septiani, Topan Cahyono, Oscar Serrano, Pere Masque´

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Report prepared as a contribution to the Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project “Conservation of biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems and their services – safeguarding food security and resilience in vulnerable coastal communities in a changing climate” funded through the International Klimate Initiative (IKI).

The SES Project is a partnership between the CMS, Edith Cowan University, Yapeka, Project Seagrass, Seagrass Watch, Murdoch University, MRS, Blue Ventures, SAN, C3, ZSL, and MareCet. The collaboration enhances the understanding of seagrass ecosystem services and the capacity to develop and deliver science-based policy solutions in seagrass conservation. It brings together scientists, policy experts, business development experts and conservation …