Blue Carbon Ecosystems: The Natural Climate Solution Right Under Our Noses

Blue carbon ecosystems are coastal and marine environments that are critical to the health of our planet. They are extremely productive and rich in biodiversity. These ecosystems include mangrove forests, tidal marshes, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows. Their uniqueness comes from their ability to store huge amounts of carbon. The ocean is a major carbon sink. However, data has identified that blue carbon ecosystems account for roughly 50% of the ocean’s carbon sequestration (Duarte et al., 2005). These ecosystems are found in coastal regions, and these coastal habitats account for less than 2% of the total ocean area (“Mitigating Climate Change…”, n.d.). In other words, these blue carbon ecosystems are small but mighty. They are important for a variety of reasons, but it is clear from our actions and the state of the environment that we neglect these ecosystems. In this first blog post, we will explore the importance of blue carbon ecosystems to wildlife, culture, economy, and climate change mitigation. We will also delve into the current projects and missions that are underway to help protect these valuable ecosystems.

Blue carbon ecosystems provide habitats for an immense and diverse range of wildlife. Many of these species are endangered or threatened. Seagrass meadows are critical to many marine animals, such as manatees, seahorses, and turtles. Typically, seagrass habitats are found in shallow waters These animals, and many more aquatic species, depend on the seagrass for food and habitat. Seagrasses also trap sediments suspended in the water column and filter nutrients, and this improves water clarity and quality. The root systems of the seagrass also provide buffering against strong currents. Sea cucumbers, starfish, and many invertebrates seek refuge from currents in these habitats. Salt marshes and mangroves act as breeding grounds and nurseries to huge populations of fish and crustaceans, such as blue crab and mullet. Salt marshes also support a variety of birds, as these habitats provide ideal hunting and nesting grounds. Mangroves also provide refuge to various fish species as juveniles, such as tarpon and barracuda. The dense and winding mangrove roots protect these fish form predators until they are large enough to venture into the open ocean.

These ecosystems hold significant cultural importance in many parts of the world. Mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows are deeply intertwined with practices and traditions in a variety of coastal communities. They are often regarded as sacred to cultural identity of the people who inhabit these areas. For instance, in Southeast Asian cultures, mangroves represent a sacred symbol of life. The raw materials from mangroves are used for traditional medicines and building materials, and the rich life that inhabit mangrove ecosystems serves as a major source of food. In many African cultures, salt marshes are also held in high regard for their medicinal properties and fishing. Blue carbon ecosystems are also a big part of cultural heritage in Indigenous communities. Seagrass meadows around the Great Barrier Reef of Australia are the home of the rainbow serpent. The rainbow serpent is a powerful spirit that frequents traditional songs and storytelling in Australian aboriginal communities (National Geographic, n.d.).

Blue carbon ecosystems provide a variety of economic benefits. Salt marshes and mangroves act as natural storm barriers, and they reduce and prevent the damaging effects of storm surges, hurricanes, and tsunamis. The damages caused by these extreme weather conditions can be extremely costly to coastal communities. These ecosystems also provide habitats for a large range of fish and shellfish species that commercially important. For instance, salt marshes are home to oysters and clams. Mangroves provide homes for various crustaceans. Seagrass meadows host fish and shellfish species, such as tuna and shrimp. These populations support aquaculture, shellfish, and fishing industries. Ecotourism is another industry that derives direct benefits from the protection and preservation of these ecosystems. These ecosystems are a sight to hold; they’re rich in beautiful biodiversity. Many people are drawn to this natural beauty, and thus these ecosystems create jobs and stimulate local economies. 

The most important service that blue carbon ecosystems provide is the ability to mitigate climate change. They are highly effective at storing carbon, and thus they reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The carbon is stored in biomass and sediment for very long periods of time, even thousands of years. Essentially, they play a huge role in cleaning up the messes we have been creating. Global fossil fuel emissions are immense; the carbon that is emitted into our atmosphere does not simply disappear. Mother nature cleans up for us and given how we are treating the planet; we are clearly taking this for granted. Unfortunately, these helpful ecosystems are being ravaged by pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. A study conducted by NASA identified that we are losing 2% of global mangrove area per year (Merzdorf, n.d.). This is alarming. Typically, this deforestation is due to conversion on the land for aquaculture and farming. Estimates also hold that tidal marshes are being lost at a rate of between 1 and 2% per year. Additionally, seagrass meadow habitats are being lost at a rate of 1.5% per year and the habitat remaining represents only a fraction of what once was (“Mitigating Climate Change…”, n.d.). The degradation of these ecosystems has a multi-pronged effect. When they are damaged or destroyed, these ecosystems release all the carbon they have been storing into the atmosphere. In addition, the loss of these habitats results in both ecological and economic havoc. Due to the damage and loss of these ecosystems, we are already seeing decreased fisheries productivity, many cases of coastal erosion, more damage from storm surges. Greater negative impacts will ensue if we continue down this path. 

Although these statistics may be daunting, we can’t lose hope. There are many initiatives and projects underway that are aiming to preserve these ecosystems or use the properties of these ecosystems to develop solutions to climate change. The Blue Carbon Initiative is an organization that connects other organizations, governments, and stakeholders in a collaborative effort to restore blue carbon ecosystems across the world. This initiative is working to increase awareness of blue carbon ecosystems, get funding to support restoration and conservation efforts, and improve policies to protect these ecosystems. Global Mangrove Watch is another initiative. It is an online platform that uses satellite imagery and remote sensing to monitor changes in mangrove forests worldwide (Global Mangrove Watch, n.d.). This initiative will be crucial in helping to identify areas that require protection and restoration. Governments across the world are also realizing the importance of these ecosystems. For instance, the Indonesian government has committed to restoring 600,000 hectares of mangroves by 2024, and the Australian government has committed to investing 100$ million towards conservation and restoration of mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows in the next 5 years (Freund, 2023) (“TNC welcomes…”, 2021). 

Blue Carbon Ecosystems are critical to the health of the oceans and the planet at large. They provide a plethora of essential services to wildlife, cultures, economies, and most important, climate change mitigation efforts. They represent a major natural solution to reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in our atmosphere. This blog post, and the many others that follow, will serve to emphasize that it is critical that we take action to protect, preserve, and restore these ecosystems. We must ensure that these habitats persist for generations to come. Initiatives and projects, like Blue Carbon Initiative and Global Mangrove Watch, represent steps in the right direction. Collaboration amongst the global population is key to ensuring the continued benefits of these ecosystems and their invaluable natural resources.

References:

Duarte, C. M., Middelburg, J. J., & Caraco, N. (2005). Major role of marine vegetation on the oceanic carbon cycle. Biogeosciences, 2(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2-1-2005

Freund, C. (2023, March 9). Indonesia's mangrove restoration will run out of land well short of target, study warns. Mongabay Environmental News. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://news.mongabay.com/2023/03/indonesias-mangrove-restoration-will-run-out-of-land-well-short-of-target-study/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20Indonesian%20government,of%20mangrove%20ecosystems%20by%202024

Global mangrove watch. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.globalmangrovewatch.org/?activeLayers=&category=distribution_and_change&zoom=2

Merzdorf , J. (n.d.). Mapping the roots of Mangrove loss. NASA. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147142/mapping-the-roots-of-mangrove-loss#:~:text=The%20team%20found%20that%20nearly,such%20as%20farming%20and%20aquaculture

Mitigating Climate Change through Coastal Ecosystem Management . The Blue Carbon Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.thebluecarboninitiative.org/

National Geographic. (n.d.). Rainbow serpent. National Geographic Education. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/rainbow-serpent/

TNC welcomes Australian Government's $100 million initiative to Protect Oceans. The Nature Conservancy Australia. (2021, April 22). Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/newsroom/100m-for-oceans-protection/