Seagrasses are submerged flowering plants with deep roots that are found in meadows along the shore of every continent except Antarctica. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Major threats to tidal marsh ecosystems include draining for coastal development, conversion to agriculture, and rising sea levels. Tidal and freshwater marshes are being lost at a rate of 1-2% per year*. Tidal marshes also serve as a buffer to coastal communities, absorbing some energy from storms and floods and helping to prevent erosion. They provide critical habitat for many stages of the life cycle of important marine species, which is essential for healthy fisheries and coastal marine ecosystems. Tidal marshes filter pollutants from land runoff and hence help maintain water quality in coastal areas. These rates are about two to four times greater than those observed in mature tropical forests*. It is estimated that the average annual carbon sequestration rate for tidal marshes averages between 6 to 8 Mg CO2e/ha (Mg of CO2 equivalent per hectare)*. Almost all of the carbon in tidal marsh ecosystems is found in the soil, which can be several meters deep*. Tidal marshes are coastal wetlands with deep soils that are built through the accumulation of mineral sediment and organic material and then flooded with salty water brought in by the tides*. Experts estimate that emissions from the degradation of mangroves can be as high as 10% of total emissions from deforestation globally, even though mangroves account for only 0.7% of tropical forest area*. Major causes of destruction to mangrove ecosystems include deforestation for construction of aquaculture ponds and other forms of unsustainable coastal development. In the last 50 years, between 30-50% of mangroves have been lost globally and they continue to be lost at a rate of 2% each year *. Mangroves provide at least US $1.6 billion each year in ecosystem services, which include: supporting fisheries by providing important spawning grounds for commercial fish species filtering pollutants and contaminants from coastal waters and contributing to healthy coastal marine water quality and protecting coastal development and communities against storms, floods and erosion *. These rates are about two to four times greater than global rates observed in mature tropical forests *. It is estimated that the average annual carbon sequestration rate for mangroves averages between 6 to 8 Mg CO₂e/ha (tons of CO₂ equivalent per hectare). Mangroves are among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics *. Mangroves are a type of tropical forest, found at the edge of land and sea and flooded regularly by tidal water. Where can more information on coastal blue carbon be found? How can current climate change policies, investments, and tools conserve blue carbon?Ĭan coastal blue carbon motivate and support conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems? What is the scientific certainty of the carbon sequestration, storage, and emissions from coastal blue carbon ecosystems? ![]() What activities are causing the high rate of loss of coastal blue carbon ecosystems and how can such losses be reduced? Where are coastal blue carbon ecosystems found? Why are coastal and marine ecosystems important for climate change mitigation?Ĭompared to other ecosystems, do blue carbon ecosystems release significant amounts of CO2 per unit area upon conversion or degradation? When degraded or lost, these ecosystems can become significant sources of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. If these trends continue at current rates, a further 30–40% of tidal marshes and seagrasses and nearly all unprotected mangroves could be lost in the next 100 years. ![]() ![]() It is estimated that up to 67% and at least 35% and 29% of the global coverage of mangroves tidal marshes and seagrass meadows respectively have been lost. Additionally, these ecosystems sequester and store significant amounts of coastal blue carbon from the atmosphere and ocean and hence are now recognized for their role in mitigating climate change.ĭespite these benefits and services, coastal blue carbon ecosystems are some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, with an estimated 340,000 to 980,000 hectares being destroyed each year. The coastal ecosystems of mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows provide numerous benefits and services that are essential for climate change adaptation along coasts globally, including protection from storms and sea level rise, prevention of shoreline erosion, regulation of coastal water quality, provision of habitat for commercially important fisheries and endangered marine species, and food security for many coastal communities.
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