A new WWF report highlights the crucial role of UK saltmarshes as carbon sinks, effectively sequestering climate-warming greenhouse gases within their mud layers.
Significant saltmarsh loss due to agricultural conversion underscores their often-overlooked contribution to climate change mitigation. The charity advocates for their inclusion in the official UK greenhouse gas inventory, believing this formal recognition will incentivize restoration and protection efforts.
Collaborating with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, WWF deployed solar-powered monitoring stations at Hesketh Out Marsh, a restored RSPB-managed saltmarsh in North-West England.
Year-long atmospheric gas analysis revealed a net carbon dioxide uptake by marsh plants during summer, exceeding winter release. These findings complement previous studies quantifying carbon stored within the marsh mud.
Data collection involved a robust 2.5m monitoring tower, safeguarding equipment from tidal flooding and debris. A field visit with WWF’s Tom Brook showcased the site’s dense vegetation and the processes capturing carbon in the soil.
Brook emphasized the saltmarsh’s significant carbon sequestration, akin to that of forests but stored in mud, highlighting its importance for climate change mitigation. The first-year findings, co-published with an insurance partner interested in coastal flood protection, are detailed in “The Importance of UK Saltmarshes.”
Since 1860, the UK has lost approximately 85% of its saltmarshes, historically viewed as unproductive land. Hesketh Out Marsh’s restoration, managed by the RSPB, has revitalized the area, supporting diverse birdlife, including avocets, oystercatchers, and black-tailed godwits.
Researchers hope these findings will bolster efforts to restore and protect these vital coastal ecosystems. RSPB warden Alex Pigott highlighted the saltmarsh’s ecological importance as a crucial habitat and natural flood defense, emphasizing the substantial environmental benefits of habitat restoration.
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