Building Blue Carbon Projects - An Introductory Guide

essentially  the  understanding  of  a  project  sites’  total  natural  carbon stock and the resources and ability to effectively manage, verify and monitor this resource. This element should include the production of spatial dataset for the extent of a Blue Carbon ecosystem (e.g. maps of carbon stock), the development of a central spatial database and online tools (for scientists and managers) and the validation of these data sets through workshops and ground-truthing. Key tasks covered in the Geographic Analysis and Ground Truthing element could include the following: Establish a spatial dataset for Blue Carbon ecosystem extent, using satellite data and imagery, including aerial photography if available. Such imagery may already exist with local partners. Steps could include the following: 1. Identify the ecosystem type (e.g., mangrove) and sub-types (e.g., ecologically distinct types of mangrove forest with equally distinct carbon stocks) of interest. 2. Inventory all existing spatial data-sets covering the habitat of interest to determine whether existing maps are contemporary, cover the entire area of interest, provide the level of detail in terms of habitat sub-types, and are accurate (ground-truth/expert consultation). 3. If existing maps suffice, these should be used to establish field plots and or collect samples; if existing maps are not good enough, new map(s) must be derived from remotely sensed data and subsequently ground truthed to assess accuracy prior to establishing plots/collecting samples. 4. Once plots have been established and or field data have been collected, then a central data-base can be created for storage and upload. Understand historical ecosystem coverage and uses and impacts, and consequently the projection of future uses and potential impacts; and Validate and ground-truth the spatial dataset to ensure accuracy and precision, which could be achieved through the development of online validation tools and the holding of local expert workshops, field-based measurements coordinated with the carbon assessment, and the development of a central database for storage and upload of geographic data. An ecosystem services assessment is an optional element that explores the linkages between human well-being and ecosystem services in addressing environmental and sustainability issues. This is an optional element for Blue Carbon projects, for those interested in potentially bundling or staking the value of carbon sequestration with other Blue Carbon ecosystem services in promoting improved ecosystem management. Both the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project (Case Study 8.1) and the Global Environment (GEF) funded interventions of the Blue Forests Project (Case Study 8.6) include ecosystem services elements. A combined Blue Carbon and ecosystem services approach is described in Section 4. Tasks for an ecosystem services assessment can include the following: Assessing existing information regarding Blue Carbon ecosystem services in a national or project site context and identifying information gaps; Filling in identified information gaps through early and continuous stakeholder and community-level socioeconomic engagement, including workshops, surveys and questionnaires; and The production of an ecosystem services assessment report. Ecosystem Services Assessment

Building Blue Carbon Projects An Introductory Guide

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