BLUE CARBON
Coastal wetlands (e.g. supratidal forests, mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrasses) are collectively known as Blue Carbon ecosystems.
Through the natural process of biosequestration, coastal wetlands capture carbon dioxide 30-50 times faster than terrestrial forests, which they lock away in the ground for millennial time-scales. Given their ability to trap atmospheric CO2, they act as natural carbon sinks, help offset our emissions and contribute to fight climate change.
Their importance:
Speedy capture
can trap carbon 30-50 times faster than typical terrestrial forests
Long-term storage
store 80% of the carbon in belowground sediments, it is locked away for centuries to millenial timescales
Additional services
enhance biodiversity, support fisheries, provide ecotourism revenues, and protect our coasts against erosion and extreme weather events
Blue carbon fundamental science
Blue Carbon Microbiomes
Identifying microbial communities and their roles in Blue Carbon ecosystems, including soil function and the turnover and stabilisation of soil carbon.
Applied research to scale up blue carbon
Blue Carbon in Cairns Airport
Estimate blue carbon stocks and sequestration rates for mangrove forests within the Airport area
Western Australia Blue
Large scale blue carbon assessment throughout WA’s coastline, aligned to understanding blue carbon variability and potential, including mapping blue carbon stocks, sequestration rates and management opportunities
