Ways one blue carbon habitat can influence carbon processing in an adjacent blue carbon habitat[1]
Blue carbon is a concept within climate change mitigation that refers to "biologically driven carbon fluxes and storage in marine systems that are amenable to management".[2]: 2220 Most commonly, it refers to the role that tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses can play in carbon sequestration.[2]: 2220 These ecosystems can play an important role for climate change mitigation and ecosystem-based adaptation. However, when blue carbon ecosystems are degraded or lost, they release carbon back to the atmosphere, thereby adding to greenhouse gas emissions.[2]: 2220
Scientists are looking for ways to further develop the blue carbon potential of ecosystems.[4] However, the long-term effectiveness of blue carbon as a carbon dioxide removal solution is under debate.[5][4][6]
The term deep blue carbon is also in use and refers to storing carbon in the deep ocean waters.[7]