Consideration of the carbon sequestration potential of seagrass to inform recovery and restoration projects within the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), United Kingdom

A review of available research into the blue carbon potential of seagrass was undertaken. This was then used to inform an analysis of the potential current, historic, and future value of carbon sequestered and stored in the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The assessed status of Zostera in the SAC highlights the extent of historic loss and continued degradation of this designated sub-feature, and current water quality is incompatible with recovery or restoration. Seagrass blue carbon currently stored within the SAC equates to similar to 18,350 t C at a sequestration rate of 117.15 t C yr(-1), with a lost/potential of 534,700 t C storage capacity. The calculated financial value of current stocks (4.6 pound m) is dwarfed by the lost/potential monetary value of carbon storage, 135 pound m, and the forfeited sequestration of 860,000-worth pound of carbon annually from degraded habitat. The use of carbon offset credits could help fund the huge potential for restoration that exists within the SAC.

Automated summary

A review of research on the blue carbon potential of seagrass was conducted, and its findings were used to analyze the current, historic, and future value of carbon sequestered and stored in the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The study revealed the significant loss and degradation of seagrass in the SAC, and the unsuitability of current water quality for recovery or restoration. It also estimated the financial value of current carbon stocks, which was overshadowed by the potential value lost due to degradation.