Quantifying Carbon Absorption of Riverine Wetlands and Proposing Restoration Scenarios

Riverine wetlands are reservoirs of biodiversity and provide various ecological functions, including carbon absorption. However, they have been subjected to continuous degradation and loss due to river management practices focused on irrigation and flood control. This study aims to quantify the carbon absorption capacity of riverine wetlands and propose strategies for their restoration and management. To achieve this, a laboratory-scale wetland model was developed, and carbon absorption rates were analyzed under varying hydrological conditions. The results revealed that while methane emissions increased under inundation conditions, the absorption of carbon dioxide increased even more significantly. When assessed using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) metric, the overall carbon absorption capacity was found to improve. Wetlands were spatially categorized into waterside wetlands (outside the levee) and landside wetlands (inside the levee) to establish a carbon absorption assessment framework. This framework was used to evaluate restoration needs and propose tailored restoration scenarios for each wetland type. For waterside wetlands, strategies were suggested to regulate carbon absorption based on inundation zones and hydrological characteristics. For landside wetlands, a model was developed to enhance carbon absorption through the creation of carbon forests using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and biochar application. Additionally, the carbon cycle was established as a closed system, termed the "Carbon-Closing System," to promote sustainability. This study provides standardized models and evaluation frameworks for carbon-neutral riverine wetlands, advancing technologies for wetland creation, restoration, and management while contributing to climate change mitigation and ecological value enhancement.

 

Keywords: Carbon Absorption, Hydrological Conditions, Restoration Scenarios, Riverine Wetlands

 

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by Korea Environmental Industry&Technology Institute through Wetland Ecosystem Value Evaluation and Carbon Absorption Value Promotion Technology Development Project, funded by Korea Ministry of Environment(MOE)(2022003630001)