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Global hotspots of salt marsh change and carbon emissions

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  • Anthony D. Campbell

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center
    Oak Ridge Associated Universities
    University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

  • Lola Fatoyinbo

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Liza Goldberg

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center
    University of Maryland)

  • David Lagomasino

    (East Carolina University)

Abstract

Salt marshes provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration1, coastal protection2, sea-level-rise (SLR) adaptation3 and recreation4. SLR5, storm events6, drainage7 and mangrove encroachment8 are known drivers of salt marsh loss. However, the global magnitude and location of changes in salt marsh extent remains uncertain. Here we conduct a global and systematic change analysis of Landsat satellite imagery from the years 2000–2019 to quantify the loss, gain and recovery of salt marsh ecosystems and then estimate the impact of these changes on blue carbon stocks. We show a net salt marsh loss globally, equivalent to an area double the size of Singapore (719 km2), with a loss rate of 0.28% year−1 from 2000 to 2019. Net global losses resulted in 16.3 (0.4–33.2, 90% confidence interval) Tg CO2e year−1 emissions from 2000 to 2019 and a 0.045 (−0.14–0.115) Tg CO2e year−1 reduction of carbon burial. Russia and the USA accounted for 64% of salt marsh losses, driven by hurricanes and coastal erosion. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of salt marsh systems to climatic changes such as SLR and intensification of storms and cyclones.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony D. Campbell & Lola Fatoyinbo & Liza Goldberg & David Lagomasino, 2022. "Global hotspots of salt marsh change and carbon emissions," Nature, Nature, vol. 612(7941), pages 701-706, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:612:y:2022:i:7941:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05355-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05355-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Roa, Diana & Navrud, Ståle & Rosendahl, Knut Einar, 2023. "Accounting for unintended ecological effects of our electric future: Optimizing lithium mining and biodiversity preservation in the Chilean High-Andean wetlands," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).

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