A recent study by wildlife charities has uncovered significant carbon storage capabilities within the seabed sediments of the UK, particularly in the South West region. The Blue Carbon Mapping Project estimates that 36.4 million tonnes of organic carbon are stored in the top 10cm of seabed sediments in the English Channel and Western Approaches, encompassing 111,469 sq km of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and coastal habitats.
This 'blue carbon' storage plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The report highlights the detrimental effects of human activities, such as bottom trawling and offshore developments, which can release stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
Peter Burgess from Devon Wildlife Trust emphasized the importance of preserving these marine habitats, stating that intact seabeds are vital for both climate health and marine biodiversity. Calls for enhanced management of MPAs are now more urgent, with WWF-UK's Tom Brook advocating for the protection of these critical environments to ensure their carbon storage functions are maintained.