Intertidal seagrass carbon stocks and accumulation rates

Intertidal seagrass carbon stocks and accumulation rates:

Seagrass meadows provide various ecosystem services. Through the accretion of organic-rich sediments/ matte, they have been characterised as significant "blue carbon" sinks, consequently a nature-based solution to mitigating climate change. In the United Kingdom, seagrass meadows are under threat due to environmental degradation and disease.

Calls for extensive seagrass restoration have arisen due to the benefits of seagrass meadows, with the first UK projects in 2019. There are data gaps regarding the carbon stocks within seagrass sediments and the sequestration and burial rates. Working in collaboration with Natural England, this project will undertake a field-and-laboratory-based study to estimate UK-wide carbon stocks and accumulation rates in intertidal seagrass meadows.

Data will be used to identify the environmental controls driving spatiotemporal variability. In doing so, this project will provide key evidence for valuing the benefits of seagrass carbon sequestration, supporting further habitat conservation.