The present state-of-the-art of blue carbon repository in India: a meta-analysis

The present study collated data on the Indian blue carbon repository (mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes) from peer-reviewed literature on carbon stock assessment. This meta-analysis indicated that the blue carbon ecosystems of India could have a collective carbon stock of 67.35 Tg C (mangroves, seagrass, and salt marsh accounting for 67 Tg C, 0.0630 Tg C, and 0.0049 Tg C, respectively). Several studies have ubiquitously measured the spatial extent of mangroves (similar to 4991 km(2)) and seagrasses (similar to 517 km(2)) in India; however, the salt marshes (290-1398 km(2)) have contradictions in estimates. The green payments against the blue carbon ecosystems of India can be as high as similar to 9.6 billion US $, whereas the social cost of carbon sequestered by these ecosystems can vary between 0.47 and 5.43 billion US $. The present study also identified the key research areas that require priority to minimize the uncertainties in blue carbon stock assessment to foster a robust ecosystem-based approach for climate change adaptation in the country. The study identified that less than half of the total mangrove habitats of India are yet to be sampled leaving a scope of substantial uncertainty in nationwide blue carbon estimates. The spatial extent of India's salt marshes is another aspect that needs to be delineated with a higher confidence level.

Automated summary

This study collated data on the Indian blue carbon repository and found substantial carbon stock in the blue carbon ecosystems of India. However, there are contradictions in estimates for salt marshes, while the spatial extent of mangroves and seagrasses is relatively well-documented. The study also highlighted the economic benefits of green payments and the social cost associated with carbon sequestration.