Coastal vegetated environments are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth and are often collectively referred to as Blue Carbon habitats. These habitats include salt marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows. They play a variety of important roles such as biodiversity support and coastal protection, while also providing nature-based solutions contributing to the mitigation of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

Coastal vegetated ecosystems are under increasing pressure globally due to climate and sea-level change, as well as local anthropogenic activities, which can disrupt their resilience and their carbon balance. There is a pressing need to understand and address these global change impacts and pressures upon carbon cycling in these ecosystems, as well as the disruption to their overall ecosystem dynamics. A better understanding of the feedback loops between sediment carbon and vegetation, the intricate exchanges of different forms of carbon between the atmosphere, sediment, and water are required.

In this townhall, we will host ECRs who are actively shaping the field of research and policy, and discuss emerging opportunities in national and international programmes, with guest panellists to answer questions.

All are welcome - and the event is particularly aimed at ECRs wishing to build their networks.

If you would like to get involved, please contact: bluecarbon@st-andrews.ac.uk

Coastal vegetated environments are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth and are often collectively referred to as Blue Carbon habitats. These habitats include salt marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows. They play a variety of important roles such as biodiversity support and coastal protection, while also providing nature-based solutions contributing to the mitigation of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

Coastal vegetated ecosystems are under increasing pressure globally due to climate and sea-level change, as well as local anthropogenic activities, which can disrupt their resilience and their carbon balance. There is a pressing need to understand and address these global change impacts and pressures upon carbon cycling in these ecosystems, as well as the disruption to their overall ecosystem dynamics. A better understanding of the feedback loops between sediment carbon and vegetation, the intricate exchanges of different forms of carbon between the atmosphere, sediment, and water are required.