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Wetland increase has multiple benefits
New research from James Cook University shows mangroves are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in storing carbon and their importance may increase as climate change impacts increase.
Dr Nathan Waltham from JCU’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) was part of the study that used a machine learning approach to get a better idea of how much ‘soil organic carbon’ (SOC) is stored in coastal wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchments.
“We found the mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes in the region store 137 million tonnes of carbon in their soils, or about 9-13 per cent of Australia’s total SOC stock while encompassing only 4–6 per cent of the total extent of Australian coastal wetlands.
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Swapping business shoes for gumboots: Blue Carbon Lab brings executives into Australia’s wetlands
Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab has received a Premier’s Sustainability Award for its HSBC Blue Carbon Citizen Science Program in 2020, in the Education category.
The HSBC Blue Carbon Citizen Program, funded by HSBC, Deakin University and Earthwatch, educates Australia’s corporate executives in climate change knowledge, giving them the tools to build a sustainable future and value Australia’s coastal ecosystems.
By swapping business shoes for gumboots and providing an immersive experience into coastal wetland research, the Blue Carbon Army connects executives with nature, leading to scientifically-documented sustainable behaviours. The engagement of the participants in coastal research builds scientific trust to support nature-based climate solutions in Victoria.
Goya Dmytryshchak
Hobsons Bay residents are invited to celebrate World Wetlands Day at Truganina Explosives Reserve in Altona on Saturday, February 6.
Free festivities include a talk from Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab, guided walks around Hobsons Bay’s wetlands, a sausage sizzle, guitar performance by Ted Smith, storytime with local author Claire Saxby, and plenty of hands-on activities for children and people of all ages.
Visitors can enter to win artwork by local artist Rob Mancini and breakfast for two at Birdcage Cafe in Altona.
Funds raised will support the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre.
It’s from 11am-3pm on Saturday, February, 6 at Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, Truganina Explosives Reserve, 274 Queen Street, Altona