Blue Carbon

Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses are named for their ability to sequester and store carbon as they grow. In addition to carbon sequestration, these habitats provide other benefits such as habitat provisioning and shoreline protection.

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are declining worldwide due to unsustainable coastal development. These losses not only prevents their ability to sequester carbon but can cause release of stored carbon back into the atmosphere.

Australia benefits from protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems. Restoration of the historical extent of blue carbon ecosystems, together with protection of threatened coastal ecosystems, could help mitigate Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the other benefits that these ecosystems provide.

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