Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/802445

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Title
Carbon sequestration in Australian estuarine wetlands
Author/Creator
Howe, A.;  Rodríguez, J. F.;  Saco, P. M.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, School of Engineering
Description
Estuarine wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Only recently has the contribution of these wetlands to the global carbon budget been acknowledged. Wetlands in general are known to be important carbon sinks but their positive contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect is believed to be balanced by methane emission. Estuarine wetlands are particularly good at storing soil carbon with minimal release of greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestration in these environments is strongly linked to sediment accumulation rates. Research at a wetland in the Hunter estuary, NSW, has tracked sediment accumulation and soil carbon over a two year period (2005-2007). Total soil carbon levels were in the 1.5-5.8% range with a general increase across the substrates sampled where tidal pools < mangrove < saltmarsh pannes < saltmarsh, although the difference was significant only at the end points of this continuum. Carbon sequestration rates ranged from 1.18 Mg C. ha⁻¹.y⁻¹ for tidal pools to 2.02 Mg C. ha⁻¹.y⁻¹for saltmarsh. The carbon sequestration and storage capacity of estuarine wetlands in the Hunter is substantial, but in decline due to the loss of estuarine vegetation particularly over the last fifty years. Further research is required to quantify sediment accretion and carbon sequestration rates in unvegetated estuarine substrates, and the depth distribution of carbon in both vegetated and unvegetated substrates.
Relation
Water Down Under 2008. Proceedings of Water Down Under 2008: Incorporating 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, and, 4th International Conference on Water Resources and Environment Research (Adelaide, S.A. 15-17 April, 2008) p. 1248-1259
Date
2008
Publisher
Engineers Australia/Causal Productions
Keyword(s)
estuarine wetlands;  ecosystems;  carbon sinks;  carbon sequestration
Resource Type
conference paper
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/802445
Identifier
ISBN:0858257351
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Subject
"Carbon sequestration in Australian estuarine wetlands"
 
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