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By Aayushi Sharma
Two major forms of carbon capture—teal carbon and blue carbon—are gaining attention due to their potential to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. While both systems revolve around ecosystems’ ability to trap and store carbon, they focus on different environments.
India has undertaken its first study on ‘teal carbon’ at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, highlighting the critical role of wetlands in addressing climate adaptation and resilience. This pilot project focused on developing comprehensive, nature-based solutions to combat the effects of climate change. By emphasizing the conservation of wetlands, the study aims to contribute to more effective climate strategies, showcasing the potential of natural ecosystems in mitigating climate challenges.
The study at KNP was carried out by researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan, under the leadership of Dr. Sharma, in partnership with Amanda Nahlik from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Siobhan Fennessy from Kenyon College, Ohio, U.S. The study examined four key teal carbon ecosystems, evaluating their current status and potential contribution to mitigating climate change.
What is Teal Carbon? How is it different from Blue Carbon?
Teal carbon is the carbon stored in inland freshwater wetlands, such as marshes, lakes, rivers, and peatlands. These ecosystems can sequester large amounts of carbon by capturing it in plant biomass and soil. Teal carbon ecosystems are particularly effective in carbon sequestration because they slow down organic matter decomposition due to waterlogged soils, allowing carbon to remain trapped for long periods. Wetlands cover only about 3% of the Earth’s surface but store 30% of all land-based carbon, making them crucial in addressing climate change.
Blue carbon denotes carbon captured from the atmosphere and stored in marine and coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, mangroves, and tidal marshes. These ecosystems also capture carbon through plant growth and sediment trapping, with coastal ecosystems having a remarkable ability to store carbon for millennia. Blue carbon ecosystems serve a dual role: they not only sequester carbon but also protect coastlines from storm surges, erosion, and rising sea levels.
Ecological Significance and Carbon Sequestration
Both teal and blue carbon ecosystems play critical roles in the carbon cycle, but they do so in different ways. Teal carbon ecosystems are more effective than terrestrial forests at sequestering carbon because of their waterlogged soils. Peatlands, for example, can store carbon for thousands of years, offering a stable, long-term solution for carbon storage. Moreover, these ecosystems provide additional benefits, such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse species.
In contrast, blue carbon ecosystems offer substantial carbon storage potential in coastal areas. Mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes capture carbon at high rates and store it in plant biomass and sediments. Mangroves alone can store up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. Additionally, blue carbon ecosystems help protect coastal communities from extreme weather events and support marine biodiversity.
Threats and Conservation Needs
Despite their importance, both teal and blue carbon ecosystems are under threat. Teal carbon ecosystems are being degraded by activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and drainage. Over 87% of the world’s freshwater wetlands have been lost, reducing their ability to sequester carbon and worsening climate change impacts. Restoration and conservation of these ecosystems are critical to maintaining their carbon storage potential.
Similarly, blue carbon ecosystems face significant threats from coastal development, pollution, and rising sea levels. Mangroves and salt marshes are often cleared for agriculture or urban expansion, which not only releases stored carbon but also diminishes their ability to protect coastlines. Restoring and protecting these ecosystems can significantly enhance their role in climate change mitigation while providing co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation.
Challenges faced by Teal Carbon Ecosystems
Teal carbon ecosystems face several significant challenges that limit their ability to function as efficient carbon sinks. Some of the main challenges include:
1. Degradation and Habitat Loss
One of the most pressing challenges for teal carbon ecosystems, such as wetlands, lakes, and peatlands, is habitat destruction due to human activities. More than 87% of the world’s freshwater wetlands have been lost to agriculture, urban development, and drainage. This degradation not only reduces their ability to sequester carbon but also releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
2. Pollution and Eutrophication
Wetlands and freshwater ecosystems are highly susceptible to pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff that introduces excess nutrients into the water. This leads to eutrophication, which depletes oxygen levels, alters the balance of aquatic life, and affects the carbon sequestration potential of these ecosystems. Excess nutrient loads can also lead to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, reducing the net climate benefit of teal carbon ecosystems.
3. Water Management and Climate Change
Teal carbon ecosystems are directly affected by changes in water management, including dam construction, water diversion, and excessive groundwater extraction. These activities disrupt the hydrological cycles that are crucial for the health and functioning of wetlands. Additionally, climate change is causing alterations in precipitation patterns, leading to either drying up or excessive flooding of wetlands, both of which reduce their carbon storage capabilities.
4. Inconsistent Policy and Funding Support
The potential of teal carbon in climate mitigation is still not fully recognized in global climate policies. Unlike blue carbon ecosystems, which are increasingly integrated into national climate strategies and carbon markets, teal carbon ecosystems lack the same level of policy focus and financial incentives. This underrepresentation limits investment in the restoration and conservation of these vital ecosystems.
5. Measurement and Monitoring Challenges
Accurately measuring and monitoring carbon sequestration in teal carbon ecosystems remains a technical challenge. Wetlands have complex carbon dynamics, as they can both sequester carbon and emit methane. Developing reliable methods to quantify net carbon storage, accounting for methane emissions, is essential for integrating teal carbon into carbon markets and climate policy.
6. Lack of Public Awareness
Teal carbon ecosystems are less well-known compared to blue carbon systems. This lack of public and policy awareness hinders efforts to prioritize wetland conservation. Public engagement and education about the benefits of freshwater wetlands for biodiversity and climate mitigation are necessary to drive effective conservation measures.
References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms13835
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0037-y
From Seafloor to Sustainability: How Blue Carbon Can Save Our Planet
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