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Carbon storage potential of temperate tidal marsh ecosystems in Western Australia

Tidal marsh ecosystems provide various direct and indirect ecological functions, one of which being their role in the sequestration and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). As Australian tidal marshes are estimated to occupy 33% of the global tidal marsh area, it is important to better understand their potential as a carbon sink. Current estimates of Australia’s total organic carbon (Corg) stocks within the top meter of tidal marsh soils suffer significant geographical bias, particularly throughout Western Australia’s tidal marsh ecosystems. High inter- and intra- habitat variability of tidal marsh ecosystems mean that each habitat can vary significantly as a result of the geomorphological settings particular to each site. Therefore, the need to justify the current estimates of Western Australia’s tidal marsh Corg stocks is paramount in accurately assessing their correlating value in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

This research aims to assess the blue carbon storage potential of tidal marsh ecosystems in temperate Western Australia, while identifying the factors driving inter- and intra-habitat variability of sedimentary carbon stocks; including physical, chemical and biological variables. The specific aims of this projects are to determine:

  1. How much Corg is stored in the soils within WA’s temperate tidal marsh ecosystems; and
  2. Whether environmental setting, species composition and physico-chemical characteristics affect Corg storage in tidal marsh ecosystems in temperate WA

The data gathered for this project will be used to estimate the potential economic value of restoring and conserving Western Australia’s temperate tidal marsh ecosystems in the frame of the Emissions Reduction Fund aimed to reduce carbon emissions.

Funding agency

Edith Cowan University

Project Duration

2017-2019

Researchers

Mr Connor Gorham (Masters student)
Dr Oscar Serrano-Gras
Professor Paul Lavery
Dr Jeff Kelleway (Macquarie University)

  • Connor Gorham project

    Sarcocornia spp dominated tidal marsh ecosystem bordering the Wilson inlet, Western Australia.

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