Blue Carbon Archives - Communications and Management for Sustainability

Scientists question effectiveness of nature-based CO2 removal using the ocean

Limited understanding of basic ocean processes is hindering progress in marine carbon dioxide removal, with the on-going commercialisation of some approaches “premature and misguided”, say a group of international scientists. In a new paper researchers review the climatic effectiveness of four ‘nature-based’ techniques using marine biological processes. These involve shellfish cultivation, seaweed farming, coastal blue […]

Link shown between trawls and climate change in the North Sea

Marine , News

A new study by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon models the influence of bottom trawls on sedimentary carbon in the North Sea. The researchers state that fishing trawls cause significant CO2 emissions as they stir up the carbon bound in the seabed and release it again. They also believe it is clear that they drastically affect ecosystems […]

Saltmarshes do store carbon, but their climate impact may have been overestimated

Marine , News

By Craig Smeaton and Ed Garrett: Saltmarshes, or tidal marshes, are able to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it away at a far higher rate than even forests on land. This has lead to them being championed as a nature-based solution to climate change. However, our research suggests the role played by saltmarshes of the […]

New research calls for the protection of UK saltmarshes

Marine , News

The UK’s saltmarshes are under threat from climate change, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise, according to a new study led by the University of St Andrews and the University of York. Carbon Accumulation Occupying more than 450km² of the UK coastline, saltmarshes capture and store large quantities of carbon, which makes them one of the […]

New national research projects focus on Essex and Lincolnshire saltmarshes

Marine , News

It has been announced a new project will see the installation of two flux towers on saltmarshes at RSPB Freiston Shore nature reserve on The Wash near Boston. One tower will be on a natural saltmarsh and the other will be on a restored saltmarsh, this project is in partnership with the RSPB. Alongside the […]

Study of blue carbon sequestration in restored saltmarsh sites across England

Marine , News

A new suite of reports has been released which examine Blue Carbon sequestration in restored saltmarsh sites across England. There is growing interest in restoration and creation of coastal wetland habitats from both a biodiversity and blue carbon perspective. Areas of interest for understanding the carbon offsetting potential and natural capital benefits include: Evaluating carbon […]

Researchers discover rare seaweed bed in Cornwall

Marine , News

Researchers from the University of Exeter and Natural Capital Solutions have recently discovered one of the biggest areas containing a rare type of seaweed only found in UK waters. Whilst conducting surveys off the coast of Falmouth and Penzance on behalf of Cornwall Council, researchers found an area almost as large as 900 rugby pitches […]

Tidal landscapes a greater carbon sink than previously thought

Marine , News

Mangroves and saltmarshes sequester large amounts of carbon, mitigating the greenhouse effect. New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that these environments are perhaps twice as effective as previously thought. Natural habitats flooded by the tide form ecosystems that captures large amounts of carbon, which can help to mitigate climate change. Carbon dioxide is […]