133 / 2023-08-16 10:03:31

Evaluation of seagrass bed carbon reserves in the Changshan Islands

Seagrass bed ecosystem；Carbon storage capacity；Sediment organic carbon；Carbon sink

The seagrass bed ecosystem has great carbon sequestration potential. Although some seagrass bed ecosystem carbon reserve surveys, assessments and studies have been carried out at home and abroad, due to the very limited types and regions involved, most seagrass species and seagras bed distribution areas at home and abroad are still very scarce. In this study, the carbon stocks of seagrass bed in the Changshan Islands were evaluated, and the total carbon reserves of the existing seagrass bed were estimated. The results show that the total carbon reserve of the seagrass bed in the Changshan Islands totals 2.36×10⁴ Mg C. Among them, Guanglu Island carbon reserves are 4.6×10³ Mg C, accounting for 19.3%; the Great Changshan Island carbon reserve is 5×10³ Mg C, accounting for 21.1%; Zhangzi Island Carbon reserves are 3.6×10³ Mg C, accounting for 15.4%; Little Changshan Island carbon reserves are 1.7×10³ Mg C, accounting for 7%; Saili Island carbon reserves are 1.1×10³ Mg C, accounting for 4.7%; Shicheng Island carbon reserves are 9×10² Mg C, accounting for 3.8%; Ocean Island carbon reserves are 1.1×10³ Mg C, accounting for 4.6%; Haxian Island carbon reserves are 5.7×10³ Mg C, accounting for 24.1%; Research shows that a large amount of organic carbon accumulates in the seagrass bed ecosystem, and the carbon reserves are mainly buried in sediments. The efficient carbon sink capacity of the seagrass bed ecosystem benefits from the high productivity of the seagrass bed itself, including seagras plants and their epiphytic algae, the strong suspension capture capacity, and the low decomposition rate and relative stability of organic carbon in seagrass bed sediments. This research aims to provide a scientific basis for the future research of blue carbon in China's coastal zone and the maintenance and upgrading of blue carbon potential.