The Promise of Blue Carbon Climate Solutions: Where the Science Supports Ocean-Climate Policy DOI Creative Commons
Anne B. Christianson, Anna Cabré, Blanca Bernal

et al.

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: April 29, 2022

The ocean is gaining prominence in climate change policy circles as a tool for addressing the crisis. Blue carbon, carbon captured and stored by marine coastal ecosystems species, offers potential “nature-based solution” to change. protection restoration of specific can form part response within mitigation policies such Nationally Determined Contributions under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. For that seek implement management actions drawdown ecosystem sequestration emissions must be measurable across temporal spatial scales, practical leading improved avoided emissions. However, some blue interventions may not suitable better suited other instruments those targeted toward biodiversity conservation. This paper gives context numerous pathways, quantifying their sequester from atmosphere, comparing these pathways point-source reductions. applicability then discussed terms multiple international frameworks, help individuals institutions utilize appropriate framework reach conservation goals.

Language: Английский

Global Significance of Mangrove Blue Carbon in Climate Change Mitigation DOI Creative Commons
Daniel M. Alongi

Sci, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 2(3), P. 67 - 67

Published: Aug. 21, 2020

Mangrove forests store and sequester large area-specific quantities of blue carbon (Corg). Except for tundra peatlands, mangroves more Corg per unit area than any other ecosystem. Mean mangrove stock is 738.9 Mg ha−1 mean global 6.17 Pg Corg, which equates to only 0.4–7% terrestrial ecosystem stocks but 17% total tropical marine stocks. Per area, 179.6 g m−2a−1 globally about 15 Tg a−1. Mangroves 4% (range 1.3–8%) sequestered by ecosystems, indicating that are a minor contributor C storage sequestration. CO2 emissions from losses equate 0.036 CO2-equivalents a−1 based on rates sequestration 0.088 complete destruction conversion aquaculture agriculture. account 0.2% 18% the coastal ocean. Despite significant data limitations, role ecosystems in climate change mitigation small at scale ocean effective national regional scale, especially areas with high deforestation destruction.

Language: Английский

Citations

172
The planetary role of seagrass conservation DOI
Richard K. F. Unsworth, Leanne C. Cullen‐Unsworth, Benjamin L. Jones

et al.

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 377(6606), P. 609 - 613

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

Seagrasses are remarkable plants that have adapted to live in a marine environment. They form extensive meadows found globally bioengineer their local environments and preserve the coastal seascape. With increasing realization of planetary emergency we face, there is growing interest using seagrasses as nature-based solution for greenhouse gas mitigation. However, seagrass sensitivity stressors acute, many places, risk loss degradation persists. If ecological state remains compromised, then ability contribute solutions climate biodiversity crisis doubt. We examine major role play how rethinking conservation critical understanding part fighting our emergency.

Language: Английский

Citations

112
Seascape ecology: identifying research priorities for an emerging ocean sustainability science DOI Creative Commons
Simon J. Pittman,

KL Yates,

PJ Bouchet

et al.

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 663, P. 1 - 29

Published: March 2, 2021

Seascape ecology, the marine-centric counterpart to landscape is rapidly emerging as an interdisciplinary and spatially explicit ecological science with relevance marine management, biodiversity conservation, restoration. While important progress in this field has been made past decade, there no coherent prioritisation of key research questions help set future agenda for seascape ecology. We used a 2-stage modified Delphi method solicit applied from academic experts ecology then asked respondents identify priority across 9 interrelated themes using 2 rounds selection. also invited senior management/conservation practitioners prioritise same questions. Analyses highlighted congruence discrepancies perceived priorities research. Themes related both concepts management practice, those identified include change, connectivity, spatial temporal scale, ecosystem-based technologies metrics. Highest-priority (upper tercile) received 50% agreement between respondent groups, lowest (lower 58% agreement. Across all 3 tiers, 36 55 were within ±10% band present most determined by proportion votes received. For each theme, we provide synthesis challenges potential role These serve roadmap advancing during, beyond, UN Decade Ocean Science Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

Language: Английский

Citations

87
Human Actions Alter Tidal Marsh Seascapes and the Provision of Ecosystem Services DOI Open Access
Ben L. Gilby, Michael P. Weinstein, Ronald J. Baker

et al.

Estuaries and Coasts, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 44(6), P. 1628 - 1636

Published: Sept. 10, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

71
Multi-scenario simulation of land use/cover change and carbon storage assessment in Hainan coastal zone from perspective of free trade port construction DOI
Wenfeng Gong,

Xuanyu Duan,

Yuxin Sun

et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 385, P. 135630 - 135630

Published: Dec. 22, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

55
Blue carbon pathways for climate mitigation: Known, emerging and unlikely DOI Creative Commons
Jennifer Howard, Ariana E. Sutton‐Grier, Lindsey S. Smart

et al.

Marine Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 156, P. 105788 - 105788

Published: Aug. 15, 2023

As interest in natural climate mitigation solutions continues to grow, there is an essential role for coastal and ocean ecosystems ("blue carbon") play. To meet targets, however, it crucial that human actions protect or restore blue carbon sinks are based on solid science actionable management opportunities increase reduce emissions from ecosystem loss. Here, we reaffirm the of wetlands opportunities. We update state regarding existing pathways explore expanding new systems. Specifically, analyze those categorize as "emerging" (e.g., interventions involving macroalgae - both cultivated wild, tidal flats, marine sediments) where action may be able these sinks, but currently have insufficient information ensure their benefit additional. revisit "non-actionable" calcifying organisms fauna) scientific evidence clear no benefit, too uncertain claim can definitively sinks. With limited funding action, critical efforts focus projects with most potential. Blue only one piece challenge, important one. Continued research investment developing policy warranted emerging At same time, world must continue work decrease rapidly, invest other solutions, scale renewable energy technologies.

Language: Английский

Citations

34
Coastal Restoration Challenges and Strategies for Small Island Developing States in the Face of Sea Level Rise and Climate Change DOI Creative Commons
Edwin A. Hernández‐Delgado

Coasts, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 235 - 286

Published: April 1, 2024

The climate crisis poses a grave threat to numerous small island developing states (SIDS), intensifying risks from extreme weather events and sea level rise (SLR). This vulnerability heightens the dangers of coastal erosion, chronic water quality degradation, dwindling resources, demanding global attention. resultant loss ecological persistence, functional services, ecosystem resilience jeopardizes protection against wave action SLR, endangering habitats’ economic value, food security, infrastructure, livelihoods. Implementing integrated strategies is imperative. A thorough discussion available best management practices for restoration presented in context SIDS needs, threats, major constraints. Solutions must encompass enhanced green infrastructure (coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves/wetlands, urban shorelines), sustainable development practices, circular economy principles, adoption policies. requires securing creative funding, promoting job creation, fostering local stakeholder engagement. Tailored each island’s reality, solutions overcome socio-economic, logistical, political obstacles. Despite challenges, timely opportunities exist habitat change adaptation Integrated spanning disciplines stakeholders necessitate significant will.

Language: Английский

Citations

13
Increased Mineral‐Associated Organic Carbon and Persistent Molecules in Allochthonous Blue Carbon Ecosystems DOI Open Access
Yuan Li, Chuancheng Fu, Chenglong Ye

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Coastal wetlands contain very large carbon (C) stocks—termed as blue C—and their management has emerged a promising nature‐based solution for climate adaptation and mitigation. The interactions among sources, pools, molecular compositions of soil organic C (SOC) within ecosystems (BCEs) remain elusive. Here, we explore these along an 18,000 km long coastal line salt marshes, mangroves, seagrasses in China. We found that mineral‐associated (MAOC) is enriched BCEs dominated by allochthonous inputs abundant active minerals, leading to increased proportion persistent molecules. Specifically, soils with (> 50%) are characterized substantial contribution MAOC 70%) total SOC notable preservation lipids (36%) across seagrasses. burial particles, derived from external sources such rivers or tidal influxes, facilitates the formation stable through binding mineral surfaces occlusion microaggregates. proportions particulate (POC) important predictors matter. Lipid composition decrease POC autochthonous increase. These findings provide new insights into coupled control over sequestration BCEs, emphasizing role inputs, components.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Lateral carbon fluxes and CO2 evasion from a subtropical mangrove-seagrass-coral continuum DOI Creative Commons
Anirban Akhand, Kenta Watanabe, Abhra Chanda

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 752, P. 142190 - 142190

Published: Sept. 8, 2020

Mangrove, seagrass, and coral habitats often lie adjacent to each other in the tropics subtropics. Lateral carbon fluxes their consecutive effects on CO2 dynamics air-water along ecosystem continuum are overlooked. We measured partial pressure of water associated biogeochemical parameters with a high temporal resolution estimated continuum. Their lateral were by using mass-balance model. The results showed that waters surrounding mangrove, acted as strong, moderate, weak source atmospheric CO2, respectively. mangrove zone net for TAlk, DIC, DOC, but sink POC. contribution riverine mangrove-derived OM was substantially sediment, indicating transport POC towards coastal sea suppressed sediment trapping function mangroves. seagrass all forms whereas DOC. from mangroves rivers offset uptake zone. DOC degradation might increase processes facilitate functioning sink. However, result DIC autotrophs, mainly zone, whole evasion lowered. conclude affect ecosystems. Thus, studies at local regional scales can improve global budget estimates.

Language: Английский

Citations

63
Seagrass Removal Leads to Rapid Changes in Fauna and Loss of Carbon DOI Creative Commons
Michael N. Githaiga, Anna M. Frouws, James Gitundu Kairo

et al.

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: March 15, 2019

Seagrass habitats are important natural carbon sinks, with an average of ~14 kg C m−2 buried in their sediments. The fate this following seagrass removal or damage has major environmental implications but is poorly understood. Using a experiment lasting 18 months at Gazi Bay, Kenya, we investigated the impacts loss on sediment topography, hydrodynamics, faunal community structure and dynamics. Sediment pins were used to monitor surface elevation. effects water velocity was using Plaster Paris dissolution. concentration measured down 50cm. Rates litter decay three depths harvested control treatments bags. Drop samples, cores, visual counts mounds burrows impact epifaunal infaunal communities. Whilst plots showed elevation, eroded (7.6 ± 0.4 -15.8 0.5 mm yr-1 respectively, mean 95% C.I). Carbon sediments significantly reduced 1.13 Mg ha-1 top 5cm. Because lost from plots, difference elevation 3cm, additional up 22.9 2.4 may have occurred over months. had rapid dramatic infauna epifauna. There diversity shift towards larger bodied, bioturbating species, significant increase burrows. Buried decomposed faster compared plots. Loss therefore lead changes dynamics chemistry driven part by alterations community.

Language: Английский

Citations

60