Blue Carbon – climate adaptation, CO2 uptake and sequestration of carbon in Nordic blue forests – Results from the Nordic Blue Carbon Project
Helene Frigstad, Hege Gundersen, Guri Sogn Andersen, Gunhild Borgersen, Kristina Øie Kvile, Dorte Krause‐Jensen, Christoffer Boström, Trine Bekkby, Marc Anglès d’Auriac, Anders Ruus, Jonas Thormar, Kaya Asdal, Kasper Hancke
Abstract
Nordic blue forests are coastal vegetated habitats, such as kelp forests, eelgrass meadows and rockweed beds, that are important natural sinks for carbon and thereby climate regulation. They also play an important role in climate adaptation. Simultaneously, blue forests are at high risk from climate change and other human impacts, such as eutrophication and coastal development. This report presents the main findings of the Nordic Blue Carbon Project (2017–2020) on the areal distribution and carbon budget of blue forests (kelp forests, seagrass meadows and rockweed beds) in the Nordic region. We have identified the main ecosystem effects of climate change and other human pressures on Nordic blue forests, tested the effect of moderating some of these pressures, and give scientific advice on management measures aimed at safeguarding these important coastal ecosystems for the future.