The Climate Benefits of Healthy Salt Marshes
Join Bev Johnson of Bates College to explore carbon sequestration in Maine salt marshes.
Reservations
Required
To reserve your space, please email suzanne@wellsnerr.org or call (207) 646-1555 x116.
Location
Mather Auditorium
Healthy salt marshes are one of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet accounting for 10-20% of carbon burial globally. Salt marshes that are impacted by infrastructure can become degraded and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere reducing the effectiveness of the carbon sink. Salt marsh restoration provides a host of benefits including, in some cases, enhanced carbon sequestration. This presentation examines carbon stocks and sequestration in Maine marshes, and explores the carbon benefits associated with restoration. Preliminary data of carbon dynamics upstream and downstream of a tidal restriction are presented.
This Ted Exford Climate Stewards lecture is supported by Dave & Loretta (Exford) Hoglund.
About the Presenter
Bev Johnson is the Charles A Dana Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences at Bates College. Her current primary research focuses on understanding carbon cycling in Maine Blue Carbon ecosystems as a means to mitigate climate change. She and colleagues have funding to measure methane emissions, carbon sequestration and carbon stocks in tidally restricted salt marshes, and to co-host a series of SMARTeams workshops to expand capacity for small scale salt marsh restoration. Bev is a member of the scientific working group of the Blue Carbon Initiative, a member of the Coastal and Marine Working Group of the Maine Climate Council and a founding member of the Maine Blue Carbon Network.