347
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
T. Kuwae, M. Hori (eds.), Blue Carbon in Shallow Coastal Ecosystems,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1295-3_13
Chapter 13
The Future of Blue Carbon: Addressing
Global Environmental Issues
Tomohiro Kuwae and Masakazu Hori
Abstract In this chapter, we first summarize the quantitative data for carbon flows
and stocks in various shallow coastal ecosystems, which were reviewed in the previous chapters. The capability of net uptake of atmospheric CO 2 and soil organic
carbon accumulation in global shallow coastal ecosystems are estimated to be about
1070 Tg C year
−1
and about 140 Tg C year
−1
, respectively, with considerably large
variabilities and uncertainties. Next, we discuss future needs for scientific and technological progress to constrain these large variabilities and uncertainties. We then
review how blue carbon is being discussed at international conferences and within
frameworks on climate change. Finally, we discuss how conserving, restoring, and
utilizing blue carbon ecosystems can meet social needs in the future. In particular,
the management of blue carbon ecosystems can serve not only as a mitigation measure against climate change but also as an adaptation measure.
13.1 Introduction
In this book, the authors have reviewed the progress of research on the functioning
of CO 2 uptake and carbon storage in shallow coastal ecosystems (SCEs), which
include blue carbon ecosystems, as well as the social efforts involved in their management. The science and technology surrounding blue carbon are still in the development stage. In particular, some types of data, such as the organic carbon
concentration in sediments, have been frequently measured and reported for the
T. Kuwae (*)
Coastal and Estuarine Environment Research Group, Port and Airport Research Institute,
Yokosuka, Japan
e-mail: kuwae@p.mpat.go.jp
M. Hori
National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Japan Fisheries
Research and Education Agency, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan
The original version of this chapter was revised. The correction to this chapter is available at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1295-3_14
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
T. Kuwae, M. Hori (eds.), Blue Carbon in Shallow Coastal Ecosystems,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1295-3_13
Chapter 13
The Future of Blue Carbon: Addressing
Global Environmental Issues
Tomohiro Kuwae and Masakazu Hori
Abstract In this chapter, we first summarize the quantitative data for carbon flows
and stocks in various shallow coastal ecosystems, which were reviewed in the previous chapters. The capability of net uptake of atmospheric CO 2 and soil organic
carbon accumulation in global shallow coastal ecosystems are estimated to be about
1070 Tg C year
−1
and about 140 Tg C year
−1
, respectively, with considerably large
variabilities and uncertainties. Next, we discuss future needs for scientific and technological progress to constrain these large variabilities and uncertainties. We then
review how blue carbon is being discussed at international conferences and within
frameworks on climate change. Finally, we discuss how conserving, restoring, and
utilizing blue carbon ecosystems can meet social needs in the future. In particular,
the management of blue carbon ecosystems can serve not only as a mitigation measure against climate change but also as an adaptation measure.
13.1 Introduction
In this book, the authors have reviewed the progress of research on the functioning
of CO 2 uptake and carbon storage in shallow coastal ecosystems (SCEs), which
include blue carbon ecosystems, as well as the social efforts involved in their management. The science and technology surrounding blue carbon are still in the development stage. In particular, some types of data, such as the organic carbon
concentration in sediments, have been frequently measured and reported for the
T. Kuwae (*)
Coastal and Estuarine Environment Research Group, Port and Airport Research Institute,
Yokosuka, Japan
e-mail: kuwae@p.mpat.go.jp
M. Hori
National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Japan Fisheries
Research and Education Agency, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan
The original version of this chapter was revised. The correction to this chapter is available at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1295-3_14