SHIFTING GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: INSIGHTS AND APPROACHES FROM COASTAL BLUE CARBON SCIENCE

In the last decade Blue Carbon has transformed from an overlooked niche topic to being recognised as a core component of the global carbon cycle and key to implementing nature-based solutions to tackle climate change.  Since the conception of Blue Carbon, the science has evolved from basic carbon stock assessments, to today where the biggest issue is understanding how both natural and anthropogenic disturbance impact the biogeochemical cycling in these potentially vulnerable environments. With the rapid increase in the prominence of Blue Carbon research has come many opportunities but also missteps, from these experiences other fields including limnology can benefit from the insights and lessons learned to help avoid the same issues arising. Taking the saltmarshes of the United Kingdom we will outline the critical foundational science undertaken that has led from a handful of carbon measurements a decade ago to national scale estimates of carbon stock and accumulation alongside discussing the co-development of policy with national agencies to protect and preserve carbon from natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Some of the approaches and experiences from Blue Carbon research will of course differ from those of limnology but many of the insights and lessons learned over the last decade are applicable and will place the limnology community in a better position to rapidly gain insights into elemental cycling and burial in shoreline vegetated systems and the threat of anthropogenic perturbations. In-turn, this will allow productive engagement with policymakers.  

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Craig Smeaton, University of St Andrews (cs244@st-andrews.ac.uk)

Authors:

Craig Smeaton, University of St Andrews  (cs244@st-andrews.ac.uk)