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Australian vegetated coastal ecosystems as global hotspots for climate change mitigation

Author

Listed:
  • Oscar Serrano

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Catherine E. Lovelock

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

  • Trisha B. Atwood

    (University of Queensland
    Utah State University)

  • Peter I. Macreadie

    (Deakin University)

  • Robert Canto

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

  • Stuart Phinn

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

  • Ariane Arias-Ortiz

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

  • Le Bai

    (Charles Darwin University)

  • Jeff Baldock

    (CSIRO Agriculture and Food)

  • Camila Bedulli

    (The University of Western Australia
    Universidade Estadual Paulista)

  • Paul Carnell

    (Deakin University)

  • Rod M. Connolly

    (Griffith University)

  • Paul Donaldson

    (BMT Environment)

  • Alba Esteban

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Carolyn J. Ewers Lewis

    (Deakin University)

  • Bradley D. Eyre

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Matthew A. Hayes

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland
    Griffith University)

  • Pierre Horwitz

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Lindsay B. Hutley

    (Charles Darwin University)

  • Christopher R. J. Kavazos

    (Edith Cowan University
    University of New South Wales)

  • Jeffrey J. Kelleway

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Gary A. Kendrick

    (The University of Western Australia
    The University of Western Australia)

  • Kieryn Kilminster

    (The University of Western Australia
    Department of Water and Environmental Regulation)

  • Anna Lafratta

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Shing Lee

    (Griffith University
    Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Paul S. Lavery

    (Edith Cowan University
    Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes-CSIC)

  • Damien T. Maher

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Núria Marbà

    (Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats)

  • Pere Masque

    (Edith Cowan University
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    The University of Western Australia
    The University of Western Australia)

  • Miguel A. Mateo

    (Edith Cowan University
    Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes-CSIC)

  • Richard Mount

    (University of Tasmania)

  • Peter J. Ralph

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Chris Roelfsema

    (University of Queensland)

  • Mohammad Rozaimi

    (Edith Cowan University
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

  • Radhiyah Ruhon

    (The University of Western Australia
    Hasanuddin University)

  • Cristian Salinas

    (Edith Cowan University
    Marine and Coastal Research Institute “José Benito Vives De Andréis” INVEMAR, Calle 25 No. 2-55)

  • Jimena Samper-Villarreal

    (University of Queensland
    Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro
    University of Queensland)

  • Jonathan Sanderman

    (CSIRO Agriculture and Food
    Woods Hole Research Center)

  • Christian J. Sanders

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Isaac Santos

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Chris Sharples

    (University of Tasmania)

  • Andrew D. L. Steven

    (Queensland Biosciences Precinct)

  • Toni Cannard

    (Queensland Biosciences Precinct)

  • Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett

    (Deakin University)

  • Carlos M. Duarte

    (The University of Western Australia
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

Abstract

Policies aiming to preserve vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCE; tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions require national assessments of blue carbon resources. Here, we present organic carbon (C) storage in VCE across Australian climate regions and estimate potential annual CO2 emission benefits of VCE conservation and restoration. Australia contributes 5–11% of the C stored in VCE globally (70–185 Tg C in aboveground biomass, and 1,055–1,540 Tg C in the upper 1 m of soils). Potential CO2 emissions from current VCE losses are estimated at 2.1–3.1 Tg CO2-e yr-1, increasing annual CO2 emissions from land use change in Australia by 12–21%. This assessment, the most comprehensive for any nation to-date, demonstrates the potential of conservation and restoration of VCE to underpin national policy development for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Oscar Serrano & Catherine E. Lovelock & Trisha B. Atwood & Peter I. Macreadie & Robert Canto & Stuart Phinn & Ariane Arias-Ortiz & Le Bai & Jeff Baldock & Camila Bedulli & Paul Carnell & Rod M. Connol, 2019. "Australian vegetated coastal ecosystems as global hotspots for climate change mitigation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12176-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12176-8
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    Cited by:

    1. D. P. Costa, Micheli & Wartman, Melissa & Macreadie, Peter I. & Ferns, Lawrance W. & Holden, Rhiannon L. & Ierodiaconou, Daniel & MacDonald, Kimberley J. & Mazor, Tessa K. & Morris, Rebecca & Nicholso, 2024. "Spatially explicit ecosystem accounts for coastal wetland restoration," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    2. Hagger, Valerie & Waltham, Nathan J. & Lovelock, Catherine E., 2022. "Opportunities for coastal wetland restoration for blue carbon with co-benefits for biodiversity, coastal fisheries, and water quality," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).

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