Abstract

Blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, are critical carbon sinks that play a significant role in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Despite their importance, quantifying carbon sequestration in coastal habitats has been challenging due to their heterogeneity and spatial variability. This abstract explores the significance of blue carbon ecosystems, the mechanisms of carbon sequestration in coastal habitats, and the challenges and opportunities for quantifying blue carbon stocks. Advances in remote sensing, field monitoring, and modeling techniques have improved our ability to assess blue carbon stocks at local, regional, and global scales. Conservation and restoration of blue carbon habitats offer multiple benefits, including climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection. Integrating blue carbon into international climate agreements and conservation strategies can help maximize their potential for mitigating climate change while promoting sustainable coastal management practices.