The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

Blue Carbon’s Importance to Abu Dhabi

Streamsidevegetation reduceserosion andtraps pollutants.

Mangrovesandsaltmarshes actas , trappingharmfulsediments andexcessuvenutrients.

Sceniccoastlines,islands,and ecreational opportunities ,suchasSCUBA diving,seakayaking,andsailing.

Estuarineseagrassesand mangrovesprovide nursery habitat forcommercialtargeted

Healthyriversprovide drinkingwater for communitiesandwater foragriculture.

createsand and protecttheshoreline fromseverestorms.

provide food,createjobs,andsupport localeconomies.

Marineecosystemsincluding seagrasses,mangroves,and saltmarshesactas carbonsinks , reducinggreenhousegases.

Healthycoralreefsarehotspots of marinebiodiversity andcan beasourcefornewmedicines andhealthcareproducts

In addition to their climate related benefits, Blue Carbon ecosystems provide highly valuable Ecosystem Services to coastal communities. They protect shorelines, support coastal tourism and provide nursery grounds for fish and habitat for a wide range of species. They also have significant cultural and social value. In Abu Dhabi, these Blue Carbon ecosystems contribute to maintaining livelihoods, provide food and recreation and reduce vulnerabilities to sea level rise, storm events and the spread of disease. Global examples of ecosystem service delivery are illustrated in Figure 2. The aim of the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project was to improve the understanding of carbon storage and sequestration and the other services that coastal and marine Blue Carbon ecosystems provide in Abu Dhabi. This

included determination of the existence, extent and reliability of data and information with regards to the valuation of these ecosystems, how this may be used to inform policy and management aims to lead to sustainable ecosystem use and the preservation of their services for future generations, and what future studies could be undertaken to further enhance and build upon this. Looking globally The Blue Carbon concept has strengthened the interest in the management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, supporting climate change mitigation efforts. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of Blue Carbon, and incentives are needed to ensure more sustainable environmental management practices.

Figure 2 Scheme showing coastal and marine ecosystem services. (UNEP, 2011)

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