A review of tropical blue carbon ecosystems for climate change mitigation

Abstract

Tropical blue carbon ecosystems encompass several components such as mangroves, seaweed, and seagrass, which play a crucial role in delivering a diverse array of services including regulation, provisioning, cultural, and support functions to a significant human population. The preservation and rehabilitation of tropical marine ecosystems hold significant importance for society due to the adverse consequences associated with their degradation, which include the impairment of crucial services such as coastal protection and the provision of seafood resources. Nonetheless, a significant knowledge deficit persists about the comprehensive capabilities of blue carbon ecosystems in terms of mitigating climate change and delivering socio-economic advantages. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to critically examine the economic significance of ecosystem services rendered by blue carbon habitats, along with the associated obstacles, governance mechanisms, and conservation approaches employed to address climate change mitigation through these ecosystems. The integration of blue carbon ecosystems conservation, protection, and restoration should be prioritized within mitigation and carbon stock conservation plans across local, national, and global scales. This article reviews various forms of governance, such as market-based instruments, public investment, partnership initiatives, and community-based management, that have the potential for future implementation. In a broader context, safeguarding tropical marine habitats is an ecological necessity that warrants recognition as a potential avenue for generating more cash and alleviating national debts across various countries. This review paper presents a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge regarding severely degraded tropical blue carbon ecosystems, with the aim of offering a structured framework that can be utilized by stakeholders to facilitate their efforts in restoring these ecosystems.