Ireland has 100 km2 of saltmarsh habitats which based on estimates in the literature could store up to 2.5 million tonnes of carbon with approximately 21,000 tonnes of C being sequestered every year. These rates are conservative estimates and given their particular characteristics, it is possible that Irish saltmarshes store significantly more carbon, making them potential hotspots for carbon storage. Yet, we know very little about coastal carbon dynamics and many key questions remain unanswered.
What controls carbon sequestration and storage in blue carbon ecosystems?
To what extent might these wetlands mitigate greenhouse gas emissions?
How can we manage blue carbon ecosystems to provide economic and societal benefits as we face climate adaptation?