Are inland wetlands suitable for carbon offsetting?

This research examines current knowledge of carbon research throughout inland wetland ecosystems and identify variables that cause optimal conditions for carbon storage and sequestration. The information provided will create a detailed description of carbon offsetting potential and possible economic return through inland wetland conservation and restoration.

Providing information on inland wetland carbon dynamics will improve Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, add to the Australian Emission Reduction Fund, and create better management practices for reducing Australia’s carbon footprint at a national level. The objectives of this study are to (1) compile global datasets on carbon dynamics throughout inland wetlands while identifying variables that cause optimal conditions for carbon storage and sequestration; (2) quantify carbon-derived gas fluxes emitted by several wetland types commonly found throughout Southeastern Australia; (3) analyse the influence of grazing and environmental watering impacts on inland wetland carbon dynamics and; (4) determine how different management practices influence microbial communities and subsequent GHGs.