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functional evaluation of blue carbon ecosystems (Howard et al. 2017a), whereas
other types, such as the concentration of refractory dissolved organic carbon, are
mostly lacking.
Like green carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, the functioning of blue carbon has
attracted attention as a countermeasure to global warming. Thus, researchers need
to improve the level of scientific and technological knowledge of blue carbon so that
these findings can be implemented by societies around the world. However, a large
gap remains between scientific research on environmental issues and policy implementation. For instance, policy-makers often have to make decisions based on too
little scientific evidence. To solve this problem, several global platforms that connect science and policy, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (IPBES), have been formed, and interdisciplinary research and
discussions have begun within these platforms.
In conjunction with such international movements, the importance of blue carbon and efforts toward social implementation has begun to be recognized in local
communities. Some private companies, regional administrative organizations, and
managers and engineers have a strong interest in future socioeconomic development
that incorporates the conservation, restoration, and utilization of blue carbon ecosystems. For example, as in the case of Yokohama City introduced in Chap. 12
(Nobutoki et al. 2018), climate change countermeasures utilizing SCEs may be
implemented worldwide in the future. In addition, such ecosystem-based climate
change countermeasures may create new business opportunities (Thomas 2014).
In this chapter, we first estimate global annual CO 2 exchange and soil organic
carbon accumulation rates in SCEs using the data reported in previous chapters and
elsewhere. Next, we propose future needs for field observations and analyses and
discuss the scientific and technological issues to be solved. At present, basic research
on blue carbon is insufficient, and additional observations and measurements at
various locations and occasions are needed to strengthen our knowledge of the subject. We then review how blue carbon is being discussed at international conferences on climate change and within other international frameworks. Finally, we
describe the social needs that can be met in the future by conserving, restoring, and
utilizing SCEs and blue carbon.
13.2 Carbon Cycling in SCEs Worldwide
We estimated the global annual CO 2 exchange and soil organic carbon accumulation
rates in SCEs using the data reported in previous chapters and the literature
(Table 13.1). Both estimates show considerably high variability, stemming from
both the large variability of the rates per unit area and the uncertainty in the global
area for each ecosystem (Lavery et al. 2013). Future research should significantly
reduce data variability and uncertainty. Keeping in mind these large uncertainties,
below we discuss the estimated values.
T. Kuwae and M. Hori
functional evaluation of blue carbon ecosystems (Howard et al. 2017a), whereas
other types, such as the concentration of refractory dissolved organic carbon, are
mostly lacking.
Like green carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, the functioning of blue carbon has
attracted attention as a countermeasure to global warming. Thus, researchers need
to improve the level of scientific and technological knowledge of blue carbon so that
these findings can be implemented by societies around the world. However, a large
gap remains between scientific research on environmental issues and policy implementation. For instance, policy-makers often have to make decisions based on too
little scientific evidence. To solve this problem, several global platforms that connect science and policy, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (IPBES), have been formed, and interdisciplinary research and
discussions have begun within these platforms.
In conjunction with such international movements, the importance of blue carbon and efforts toward social implementation has begun to be recognized in local
communities. Some private companies, regional administrative organizations, and
managers and engineers have a strong interest in future socioeconomic development
that incorporates the conservation, restoration, and utilization of blue carbon ecosystems. For example, as in the case of Yokohama City introduced in Chap. 12
(Nobutoki et al. 2018), climate change countermeasures utilizing SCEs may be
implemented worldwide in the future. In addition, such ecosystem-based climate
change countermeasures may create new business opportunities (Thomas 2014).
In this chapter, we first estimate global annual CO 2 exchange and soil organic
carbon accumulation rates in SCEs using the data reported in previous chapters and
elsewhere. Next, we propose future needs for field observations and analyses and
discuss the scientific and technological issues to be solved. At present, basic research
on blue carbon is insufficient, and additional observations and measurements at
various locations and occasions are needed to strengthen our knowledge of the subject. We then review how blue carbon is being discussed at international conferences on climate change and within other international frameworks. Finally, we
describe the social needs that can be met in the future by conserving, restoring, and
utilizing SCEs and blue carbon.
13.2 Carbon Cycling in SCEs Worldwide
We estimated the global annual CO 2 exchange and soil organic carbon accumulation
rates in SCEs using the data reported in previous chapters and the literature
(Table 13.1). Both estimates show considerably high variability, stemming from
both the large variability of the rates per unit area and the uncertainty in the global
area for each ecosystem (Lavery et al. 2013). Future research should significantly
reduce data variability and uncertainty. Keeping in mind these large uncertainties,
below we discuss the estimated values.
T. Kuwae and M. Hori