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Understanding Queensland's Blue Carbon Resource

Understanding Queensland's Blue Carbon Resource

Wetlands are critical to carbon sequestration in Australia. Through the power of citizen science, this program successfully raised the awareness and value of Queensland's Blue Carbon Stocks. 

This program invested in transitioning to a low carbon society, by increasing the number of sampling sites for above-ground mangrove by 115% in Northern Australia. Data submitted to the National Greenhouse accounts to improve blue carbon modelling and informed the development of a blue carbon method under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). 

Addressing blue carbon knowledge gaps

  • Climate change impact on carbon accumulation and restoration

  • Management to protect and enhance mangrove blue carbon stocks

  • Knowledge of blue carbon stocks in Northern Australia

  • Drivers and variability of blue carbon ecosystem carbon stores

  • Mangrove forest disturbance impacts on blue carbon

  • Ecosystem carbon stocks & accumulation rates in modified & disturbed environments

We also built capacity to assess blue carbon stores by verifying a rapid long plot assessment method for citizen science use against traditional methods and found that the method is 3 times faster, equally accurate, and can be used widely. 

With a vision for sustainability, this program built Indigenous blue carbon management capacity. Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation indigenous land and sea rangers provided support and assisted with data collection throughout the program. They will undertake future blue carbon monitoring to support, protect and enhance Daintree River mangrove carbon stocks with support from Earthwatch. 

These achievements were possible through collaboration with the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation, George Alexander Foundation, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Daintree River Cruise Centre, Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruises and Mackay Regional Council.