exponential capacity of seagrass meadows to expand, through
the growth of their rhizomes, over the seafloor. While green for-
est can only grow upwards, seagrasses can spread horizontally
at exponential rates.

The sequestration capacity of individual marine ecosystems var-
ies substantially (Table 1). Not all blue carbon sinks are equally
effective, with salt marshes having the highest carbon burial rate
per unit area, followed by mangroves and seagrass. Our current
understanding of what drives a high capacity for blue carbon
sink ecosystems includes high biomass and production, where
The management of coastal carbon sinks –
the plants produce large surplus of organic carbon (Duarte and
a forthcoming IUCN/Natural England/UNEP report
Cebrián, 1996), and their location in an area where land-based
materials can be intercepted, adding to the self-derived surplus
The issue of marine carbon sequestration is attracting growing atten-
to result in large carbon burial rates (Bouillon et al., 2008). Res-
tion globally, and a new collaborative report titled ‘The management of
coastal carbon sinks’ by the International Union for the Conservation
toration efforts must focus on the recovery of blue carbon sinks
of Nature and Natural England, further examines the issue in closer
with high sequestration capacity, considering these drivers and
detail. This report documents the latest information from world-leading
catalyzing the capacity of these ecosystems to act as efficient car- scientists on the carbon management potential of a number of coastal
bon sinks. Additional research on the conditions that result in
ecosystems: tidal salt marshes, mangroves, seagrass meadows, kelp
high carbon sink capacity of vegetated coastal habitats can help
forests and coral reefs. It explores the latest science for each ecosystem,
guide successful restoration projects.
explores their role in the carbon cycle, and outlines management op-
tions that would maintain and enhance the carbon sinking capability of
each ecosystem. This report is planned released later this year (2009).
Most efforts to restore blue carbon sinks have been driven by the
need to restore coastal protection by vegetated habitats and their
value as habitats for key species (Boorman and Hazelden, 1995; As is the case in land-based sectors, many mutually rein-
Fonseca et al., 2000; Danielsen et al., 2005). It is time that their forcing synergies and benefits exist among mitigation ac-
beneficial role as carbon sinks is also taken into account and to tions and overall development goals for coastal and ocean
include this in economic assessments of the benefits of restor- resources. These benefits include, for example, improved
ing blue carbon sinks. fisheries and aquaculture production systems, biodiversity
conservation through increasing mangrove populations, and
INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES increased energy efficiency in the shipping sectors. Efforts
Improving the resilience of the coastal and oceans communities, should include areas of mutual benefit to food and livelihood
both human and aquatic, to the impacts of climate change will security and the responsibilities of these sectors to reduce
be key to sustaining the role of the oceans as providers of food and avoid emissions as well as to enhance natural removals
and livelihood security. Comprehensive and integrated ecosys- of greenhouse gases.
tem approaches to managing coasts, oceans, and uses of aquatic
resources should form the basis for climate change adaptation In order to avoid negative trade-offs between adaptation
and mitigation strategies as they address the social, economic, and mitigation within and among sectors, an ecosystem
ecological and governance aspects underlying vulnerability to approach and system-wide evaluation and planning of miti-
climate change. Such integrated approaches would help to link gation and adaptation strategies will need to include down-
the multiple sectors depending on coastal and ocean resources to stream impacts on other sectors. It is very clear from this
those organizations with climate change and disaster risk man- report, that the carbon sink capacity of these valuable coastal
agement responsibilities; thereby assisting in climate proofing ecosystems should provide massive additional impetus for
sector-specific development strategies as well as ‘mainstreaming’ improved integrated coastal zone management, protection
the aquatic-based sectors into climate change strategies. and restoration.
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