Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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 …

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, …

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 …

Soil Carbon Stocks Vary Across Geomorphic Settings In Australian Temperate Tidal Marsh Ecosystems, Connor Gorham, Paul Lavery, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Cristian Salinas, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Tidal marshes rank among the ecosystems with the highest capacity to sequester and store organic carbon (C_org) on earth. To inform conservation of coastal vegetated ecosystems for climate change mitigation, this study investigated the factors driving variability in carbon storage. We estimated soil C_org stocks in tidal marshes across temperate Western Australia and assessed differences among geomorphic settings (marine and fluvial deltas, and mid-estuary) and vegetation type (Sarcocornia quinqueflora and Juncus kraussii) linked to soil biogeochemistry. Soil C_org stocks within fluvial and mid-estuary settings were significantly higher (209 ± 14 and 211 ± 20 …

Factors Determining Seagrass Blue Carbon Across Bioregions And Geomorphologies, Ines Mazarrasa, Paul Lavery, Carlos M. Duarte, Anna Lafratta, Catherine E. Lovelock, Peter I. Macreadie, Jimena Samper-Villarreal, Cristian Salinas, Christian J. Sanders, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Mary Young, Andy Steven, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Seagrass meadows rank among the most significant organic carbon (C_org) sinks on earth. We examined the variability in seagrass soil C_org stocks and composition across Australia and identified the main drivers of variability, applying a spatially hierarchical approach that incorporates bioregions and geomorphic settings. Top 30 cm soil C_org stocks were similar across bioregions and geomorphic settings (min-max: 20–26 Mg C_org ha⁻¹), but meadows formed by large species (i.e., Amphibolis spp. and Posidonia spp.) showed higher stocks (24–29 Mg C_org ha⁻¹) than those formed by smaller species (e.g., Halodule, Halophila, …

Challenges To Select Suitable Habitats And Demonstrate ‘Additionality’ In Blue Carbon Projects: A Seagrass Case Study, Anna Lafratta, Oscar Serrano, Pere Masqué, Miguel A. Mateo, Milena Fernandes, Sam Gaylard, Paul S. Lavery

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Seagrass restoration has been suggested as a Blue Carbon (BC) strategy for climate change mitigation. For Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and carbon crediting schemes, BC projects need to demonstrate ‘additionality’, that is enhanced CO2 sequestration and/or avoided greenhouse gas emissions following management actions. This typically requires determining soil carbon accumulation rates (CAR), which is often done using radionuclides or surface elevation tables to estimate sedimentation rates. Here we undertook a case study, using 210Pb and 14C dating, to detect possible changes in Corg stocks and CAR following the loss and partial recovery of Posidonia seagrass meadows …

Factors Influencing Carbon Stocks And Accumulation Rates In Eelgrass Meadows Across New England, Usa, A. B. Novak, M. C. Pelletier, P. Colarusso, J. Simpson, M. N. Gutierrez, A. Arias-Ortiz, M. Charpentier, Pere Masque, P. Vella

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Increasing the protection of coastal vegetated ecosystems has been suggested as one strategy to compensate for increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere as the capacity of these habitats to sequester and store carbon exceeds that of terrestrial habitats. Seagrasses are a group of foundation species that grow in shallow coastal and estuarine systems and have an exceptional ability to sequester and store large quantities of carbon in biomass and, particularly, in sediments. However, carbon stocks (Corg stocks) and carbon accumulation rates (Corg accumulation) in seagrass meadows are highly variable both spatially and temporally, making it difficult to extrapolate this …

Role Of Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems As Nitrogen And Phosphorous Filters And Sinks In The Coasts Of Saudi Arabia, V. Saderne, M. Cusack, Oscar Serrano, H. Almahasheer, P. K. Krishnakumar, L. Rabaoui, M. A. Qurban, C. M. Duarte

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Vegetated coastal ecosystems along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts of Saudi Arabia thrive in an extremely arid and oligotrophic environment, with high seawater temperatures and salinity. Mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems have been shown to act as efficient sinks of sediment organic carbon, earning these vegetated ecosystems the moniker 'blue carbon' ecosystems. However, their role as nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P) sinks remains poorly understood. In this study, we examine the capacity of blue carbon ecosystems to trap and store nitrogen and phosphorous in their sediments in the central Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. We estimated the …

Impact Of Seagrass Establishment, Industrialization And Coastal Infrastructure On Seagrass Biogeochemical Sinks [Dataset], Oscar Serrano, Paul Lavery, James Bongiovanni, Carlos Duarte

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Serrano et al. 2020, Marine Environmental Research, in press) on biogeochemical characteristics (density, organic carbon, stable carbon isotopes, chemical element and sediment grain size) of cores from Posidonia sinuosa soil in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. Pb-210 concentrations of the first 20 cm are included along with C-14 raw ages.

Enquiries about the dataset may be sent to Oscar Serrano: o.serranogras@ecu.edu.au

Top 30 Cm Soil C Org Stocks, Isotopic C Org Signature (13dc) And Fine Sediment Content (Silt And Clay %) Estimated In Soil Cores Sampled In Seagrass Meadows Around Australia [Dataset], Ines Mazarrasa, Paul Lavery, Carlos M. Duarte, Anna Lafratta, Catherine E. Lovelock, Peter I. Macreadie, Jimena Samper-Villarreal, Cristian Salinas, Christian Sanders, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Mary Young, Andy Steven, Oscar Serrano

Research Datasets

This database contains data on top 30 cm soil biogeochemical properties from soil cores (minimum length of 30 cm) sampled in seagrass (n=201 cores) and adjacent unvegetated patches (n=39) around Australia.

Average biogeochemical properties per core along with information about type of environment, biotic characteristics and environmental conditions.

In particular, the variables included in sheet 1 are:

- Core ID (column A): core code

- Location (column B): name of the region of the sampling site.

- Latitude / Longitude (columns C, D): latitude and longitude

- Bioregion (column E): classified the sampling sites according to …

Modeling Organic Carbon Accumulation Rates And Residence Times In Coastal Vegetated Ecosystems, E. Fay Belshe, Jose Sanjuan, Carmen Leiva-Dueñas, Nerea Piñeiro-Juncal, Oscar Serrano, Paul Lavery, Miguel Angel Mateo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Coastal vegetated “blue carbon” ecosystems can store large quantities of organic carbon (OC) within their soils; however, the importance of these sinks for climate change mitigation depends on the OC accumulation rate (CAR) and residence time. Here we evaluate how two modeling approaches, a Bayesian age-depth model alone or in combination with a two-pool OC model, aid in our understanding of the time lines of OC within seagrass soils. Fitting these models to data from Posidonia oceanica soil cores, we show that age-depth models provided reasonable CAR estimates but resulted in a 22% higher estimation of OC burial rates when …

The Future Of Blue Carbon Science, Peter Macreadie, Andrea Anton, John A. Raven, Nicola Beaumont, Rod M. Connolly, Daniel A. Friess, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Hilary Kennedy, Tomohiro Kuwae, Paul Lavery, Catherine E. Lovelock, Dan A. Smale, Eugenia T. Apostolaki, Trishia B. Atwood, Jeff Baldock, Thomas S. Bianchi, Gail L. Chmura, Bradley D. Eyre, James W. Fourqurean, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Mark Huxham, Iris E. Hendriks, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Dan Laffoley, Tiziana Luisetti, Nuria Marba, Pere Masque´, Karen J. Mcglathery, J. Patrick Megonigal, Daniel Murdiyaso, Bayden D. Russell, Rui Santos, Oscar Serrano, Brian R. Silliman, Kenta Watanabe, Carlos M. Duarte

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The term Blue Carbon (BC) was first coined a decade ago to describe the disproportionately large contribution of coastal vegetated ecosystems to global carbon sequestration. The role of BC in climate change mitigation and adaptation has now reached international prominence. To help prioritise future research, we assembled leading experts in the field to agree upon the top-ten pending questions in BC science. Understanding how climate change affects carbon accumulation in mature BC ecosystems and during their restoration was a high priority. Controversial questions included the role of carbonate and macroalgae in BC cycling, and the degree to which greenhouse gases …

Habitat Characteristics Provide Insights Of Carbon Storage In Seagrass Meadows, Inés Mazarrasa, Jimena Samper-Villarreal, Oscar Serrano, Paul S. Lavery, Catherine E. Lovelock, Núrià N. Marbà, Carlos M. Duarte, Jorge A. Cortés

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Seagrass meadows provide multiple ecosystem services, yet they are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Because of their role as carbon sinks, protection and restoration of seagrass meadows contribute to climate change mitigation. Blue Carbon strategies aim to enhance CO2 sequestration and avoid greenhouse gasses emissions through the management of coastal vegetated ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. The implementation of Blue Carbon strategies requires a good understanding of the habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration. Here, we review the existing knowledge on Blue Carbon research in seagrass meadows to identify the key habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration in seagrass …

Carbon Sequestration By Australian Tidal Marshes, Peter I. Macreadie, Q. R. Oliver, J. J. Kelleway, Oscar Serrano, P. E. Carnell, C. J. Ewers Lewis, T. B. Atwood, J. Sanderman, J. Baldock, R. M. Connolly, C. M. Duarte, Paul Lavery, A. Steven, C. E, Lovelock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Australia’s tidal marshes have suffered significant losses but their recently recognised importance in CO2 sequestration is creating opportunities for their protection and restoration. We compiled all available data on soil organic carbon (OC) storage in Australia’s tidal marshes (323 cores). OC stocks in the surface 1 m averaged 165.41 (SE 6.96) Mg OC ha − 1 (range 14 – 963 Mg OC ha − 1). The mean OC accumulation rate was 0.55 ± 0.02 Mg OC ha − 1 yr − 1. Geomorphology was the most important predictor of OC stocks, with fluvial sites having twice the stock of OC …

Addressing Calcium Carbonate Cycling In Blue Carbon Accounting, Peter I. Macreadie, Oscar Serrano, Damien T. Maher, Carlos M. Duarte, John Beardall

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Scientific Significance Statement

There is considerable interest in measuring the capacity of the world's ecosystems to trap and store excess atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate human‐induced climate change. Blue carbon describes the carbon storage potential of vegetated coastal ecosystems including tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses. Efforts are now underway to include blue carbon in global carbon offset schemes by managing these ecosystems to enhance carbon sequestration by focusing on their effect on organic carbon processing. However, it is unclear what role inorganic carbon processing in blue carbon ecosystems plays in their overall carbon sequestration. Here, we argue that there are …

A Marine Heat Wave Drives Massive Losses From The World’S Largest Seagrass Carbon Stocks [Dataset], Ariane Arias-Ortiz, Oscar Serrano, Pere Masqué, Paul Lavery, Ute A. Mueller, Gary A, Kendrick, Mohammad Rozaimi, Alba Esteban, James W, Fourqurean, Núrià N. Marbà, Miquel-Angel Mateo, Kathy Murray, Michael Rule, Carlos M. Duarte

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Arias-Ortiz et al., 2018) on biogeochemical characteristics (density, organic carbon, stable carbon isotopes and sediment grain size) of soils underneath seagrass meadows in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Pb-210 concentrations of the first 20 cm are included along with C-14 raw ages. The dataset compiles data for a total of 49 cores, 25 - 300 cm-long (11 cores with Pb-210 and C-14 data). Enquiries about the dataset may be sent to Ariane Arias-Ortiz: ariane.arias@uab.cat

Variability In The Carbon Storage Of Seagrass Habitats And Its Implications For Global Estimates Of Blue Carbon Ecosystem Service [Dataset], Paul Lavery, Miguel-Angel Mateo, Oscar Serrano, Mohammad Rozaimi

Research Datasets

The dataset compiles published data (in Lavery et al. 2013, PLoS ONE 8(9): e73748. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073748) on biogeochemical variables (organic matter, organic carbon and CO3 contents, and stable carbon isotope signatures of the organic carbon) in sediment core from seagrass meadows in Australia. The cores studied were up to 29 cm long, and ecompass tropical, subtropical and temperate seagrass meadows in intertidal and subtidal habitats. Enquiries about the dataset may be sent to Paul Lavery p.lavery@ecu.edu.au.

Seagrass Sediments Reveal The Long-Term Deterioration Of An Estuarine Ecosystem [Dataset], Oscar Serrano, Paul S. Lavery, Pere Masque, Karina Inostroza, James Bongiovanni, Carlos Duarte

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Serrano et al. 2016, Global Change Biology, doi:10.1111/gcb.13195) on temporal trends in biogeochemical variables in the Posidonia australis sediment core from Oyster Harbour, Western Australia. The core studied encompasses the last 500 years of history. Data on dry bulk density, carbonate content, sedimentso.serranogras@ecu.edu.au.

Key Biogeochemical Factors Affecting Soil Carbon Storage In Posidonia Meadows [Dataset], Oscar Serrano, Aurora M. Ricart, Paul S. Lavery, Miguel-Angel Mateo, Ariane Arias-Ortiz, Pere Masque, Andy Steven, Carlos M. Duarte

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Serrano et al. 2015, Biogeosciences, doi:10.5194/bgd-12-18913-2015) on biogeochemical characteristics (age, density, organic carbon, inorganic carbon, stable carbon isotopes and sediment grain size) of sediments underneath seagrass meadows (Posidonia sinuosa) along a bathymetric gradient (from 2 to 8 m) and adjacent un-vegetated patches in Garden Island (Perth, Western Australia). The dataset compiles data on biogeochemical sediment characteristics (including organic and inorganic carbon stocks and burial rates) for a total of 5 cores (4 cores from seagrass meadows and 1 core from adjacent un-vegetated sediments). Enquiries about the dataset may be sent to Oscar …

Can Mud (Silt And Clay) Concentration Be Used To Predict Soil Organic Carbon Content Within Seagrass Ecosystems? [Dataset], Oscar Serrano, Paul Lavery, Carlos M. Duarte, Gary A. Kendrick, Antoni Calafat, Paul York, Andy Steven, Peter Macreadie

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Serrano et al. 2016, Biogeosciences, doi:10.5194/bg-2015-598) on biogeochemical characteristics (%organic carbon, stable carbon isotopes and mud content) of sediments underneath seagrass meadows and bare sediments in Australia and Spain. Details on habitat characteristics (latitude/longitude, water depth, seagrass species and geomorphology) and sediment depth are also provided for each location studied. The data set includes 1345 data entries from 100 sediment cores, encompassing 10 seagrass species in estuarine and coastal habitats. Enquiries about the dataset may be sent to Oscar Serrano o.serranogras@ecu.edu.au.

Impact Of Mooring Activities On Carbon Stocks In Seagrass Meadows [Dataset], Oscar Serrano, Radhiyah Ruhon, Paul S. Lavery, Gary A. Kendrick, Sharyn Hickey, Pere Masque, Ariane Arias-Ortiz, Andy Steven, Carlos M. Duarte

Research Datasets

The database compiles published data (in Serrano et al. 2016, Scientific Reports, in press) on biogeochemical characteristics (density, organic carbon, calcium carbonate, stable carbon isotopes and sediment grain size) of sediments underneath seagrass meadows and adjacent un-vegetated patches after mooring disturbances in Rottnest Island (Perth, Western Australia). The dataset compiles data on biogeochemical sediment characteristics for a total of 16 cores, 50 cm-long (4 cores from seagrass meadows and 4 cores from adjacent bare sediments at Thompson Bay, and 4 cores from seagrass meadows and 4 cores from adjacent bare sediments at Stark Bay). Enquiries about the dataset may be …