The term ’blue carbon‘ refers to the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems – mangroves, tidal and salt marshes, and seagrasses. These highly productive coastal ecosystems are particularly important for their capacity to store carbon within the plants and in the sediments below.
These natural carbon sinks sequester two to four times more carbon than terrestrial forests and as such are considered a key component of nature-based solutions to climate change.
Healthy blue carbon ecosystems also provide habitat for marine species, support fish stocks and food security, sustain coastal communities and livelihoods, filter water flowing into our oceans and reef systems, and protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges.
At Plymouth, we are developing new transdisciplinary perspectives on blue carbon – benefitting restoration of natural habitats as well as social and economic wellbeing of coastal communities.