CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM
Coastal wetlands – mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses – are collectively known as ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems. They act as natural carbon sinks, effectively reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change.
Blue carbon systems can drawdown carbon 30-50 times faster than terrestrial forests and lock it away in the soil for centuries to millennia. They also enhance biodiversity (eg. migratory birds, endangered frogs), support fisheries,provide ecotourism revenues and protect our coast against erosion and extreme weather events.
Australia is home to one of the world’s richest blue carbon stores. However, challenged with unprecedented degradation, an increase in pressure from exponential growth of the human population, and climate change, wetland ecosystems and the services they provide are at risk.
WETLAND DEGRADATION
Global wetlands have declined by 64-71% since 1900. When degraded, coastal wetlands stop capturing carbon and can become significant sources of greenhouse gases.
CARBON EMISSIONS & CLIMATE CHANGE
Globally 38.2 billion tonnes of CO2 are pumped every year into the atmosphere. These are fueling climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events that threaten people and nature.
LACK OF CONNECTION TO NATURE
People have lost their connection with nature, have limited understanding of climate change science and lack awareness of the power of coastal wetlands.
This citizen science program aims to educate and empower community members into the value of coastal wetlands, while contributing to coastal blue carbon research. While participants receive an immersive experience into climate change science and the magic of coastal wetlands, scientists increase their sampling effort and advance blue carbon research.
The Citizen Science day starts with educational talks where participants are introduced to topics of coastal wetlands, ecosystem services and climate change. Then, citizen scientists travel to local wetlands and support scientists with data collections activities in the field (eg. collection of soil cores, survey of coastal vegetation, etc..). Data is used by national and international researchers to better understand Blue Carbon dynamics and coastal systems.
Cores of wetland soil are collected and used to quantify carbon stocks and accumulation rates across sites
Litter / tea decomposition is used to determine the ability of different wetlands to sequester carbon
Analysis of soil samples indicates which microbes are associated to high and low carbon preservation
Multiple surveys test if education & immersive experiences can change attitudes towards wetlands