The blue carbon ecosystemsThe wetlands, consisting of wetlands, marshes, seagrasses and mangroves, are of vital importance to humans, biodiversity and the planet itself for the services they provide.
These ecosystems provide critical services to the people who live near them, from sustaining local diets and fishing industries to protecting homes and infrastructure from erosion and storm damage, he says. World Economic Forum.
However, their benefits are not limited to coastal communities. Healthy coastal ecosystems can be a powerful ally in addressing the climate crisesand development on a global scale. Here are four valuable benefits provided by these ecosystems.
Sequestering blue carbon
They are a natural solution to eliminate carbon emissions from the atmosphere, build resilience to the increasing impacts of climate change, and preserve vital biodiverse habitats. Interest and investment in the blue carbon as a natural solution are growing worldwide.
At the same time, however, these ecosystems are being destroyed at an accelerating rate; if nothing is done to change course, they could disappear globally within a century, the agency says.
Blue carbon" is carbon that is captured from the atmosphere and stored in the atmosphere. marine and coastal ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, mangroves and salt marshes. These ecosystems store up to 5 times more carbon per area than tropical forests and also absorb it from the atmosphere about 3 times faster.
Preserving biodiversity
Blue carbon ecosystems are valuable centers of biodiversity. They provide habitat for a wide variety of marine and coastal species, from birds, fish and mammals to invertebrates, algae and microbes. Many of these species are critical not only for maintaining ecosystem health, but also for supporting local diets and fishing industries.
Mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes also serve as buffers, protecting other coastal waters from land-based pollutants, such as nutrient-rich sewage and agricultural runoff, which can cause excessive algal growth and create marine "dead zones" with low oxygen content.
The dense vegetation in blue carbon ecosystems acts as a filter, slowing the flow of coastal water and allowing plants and other organisms living in these habitats to trap and absorb excess nutrients.
Protect coastlines from storms, flooding and erosion
Coastal communities that are vulnerable to tidal surges and storms can leverage blue carbon ecosystems as a nature-based solution to adapt to these growing climate impacts.
In tropical areas around the world, mangrove forests play a key role in protecting the coasts from wave action and erosion. storm surges. By absorbing some of the storm energy, they can help reduce damage caused by extreme weather events such as cyclones.
Blue carbon ecosystems can also help to reduce the coastal erosionwhich results in loss of land and habitat, as well as damage to housing and infrastructure. The roots of seagrasses grow deep and excel at sediment aggregation and accumulation, while the extensive root networks above the soil of mangroves act similarly; both methods help stabilize loose soils and solidify shorelines.
Improving food and water security
Blue carbon ecosystems can improve both the water quality such as local food security. By protecting against climate-related impacts, such as floods and storm surges, they prevent saltwater from infiltrating freshwater resources, such as groundwater, on which local communities may depend.
Healthy blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass beds, are also nurseries for a diverse array of marine and coastal life. These grounds are critical for certain species of fish and invertebrates to reach maturity, after which they can be valuable for artisanal fisheries that contribute to local economies and strengthen food security in coastal areas.
Sustaining coastal economies
Along with local fisheries, blue carbon ecosystems provide recreational and leisure opportunities that can attract tourists, creating new jobs in the ecotourism industry and boosting related industries such as food and hospitality.
One example is the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuarywhere mangroves and seagrasses are two predominant ecosystems. One study found that tourism associated with the Sanctuary contributes $$4.4 billion to Florida's economy annually.
Given the services they provide, there is a growing momentum behind the development of projects to restore, protect or sustainably manage blue carbon ecosystems.
Because of their significant carbon storage potential, there is also an opportunity to leverage blue carbon credits, which monetize the value of carbon stored in mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes, as a source of income for communities along with the climate and biodiversity benefits of these ecosystems.
Source: World Economic Forum