Blue Carbon Dynamics Of The Indian Ocean

This book gives an overview of various aspects of blue carbon dynamics from each country bordering the Indian Ocean. Given the importance of the topic of blue carbon, it can be assumed that in near future, more and more researchers from the Indian Ocean countries will pursue environmental research in this domain. This book is a ready reference to all those who are interested to have a holistic understanding about the ground scenario of blue carbon in the Indian Ocean. There are many research institutes situated in the periphery of the Indian Ocean that are devoted to nurturing the new avenues of marine carbon research. Researchers and scholars interested in this domain will find this book provides a good overview, wherein all the necessary information on the status and functioning of these blue carbon ecosystems are detailed in a concise way. The book is also helpful to postgraduate students of ‘marine science’ or those who have a specialization in ‘marine biogeochemistry’ or ‘chemical oceanography’ to develop a basic understanding about the very concept of ‘blue carbon’ from the perspective of the Indian Ocean.

As nature-based approaches for the mitigation of climate change are increasingly seen as part of the solution, blue carbon has recently been receiving greater international attention. This has stimulated renewed interest in better management, conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, tidal salt marshes, and seaweed beds for the purpose of climate change mitigation. However, a number of gaps still exist in our scientific knowledge on coastal biodiversity, which are critical to developing blue carbon projects for the international carbon market. The present book has focused on some of these important issues. Apart from standardizing ecological approach in estimating blue carbon in various vegetation compartments, the book also presents few important case studies (as annexure), which can serve as the basics of hand-on-scientific training in estimating the magnitude of stored carbon in mangroves, salt marsh, seagrass, seaweeds and phytoplankton. The influence of salinity, nutrients and several relevant hydrological parameters on the rate of blue carbon sequestration has also been critically analysed.

This book deals with every aspect of oceanography in detail including various aspects of physical, chemical, geological, and biological discourse. ‘Earth and Planetary Science’ is perhaps the oldest, dynamic, and ever-evolving subject. Oceanography is one of its domains, which has become important in the present date, given the ubiquitous and undeniable climate change that we are experiencing. The subject domain of oceanography encompasses several environmental issues, which need serious attention from the present scientific community. Despite the ocean’s significant role in the collective well-being of the human race, a multitude of anthropogenic activities has drastically polluted and degraded several crucial oceanic ecosystems within a short span. This book aims to present a concise yet succinct introduction to Oceanography as a subject and at the same time highlight the cutting-edge topics of research encompassing marine pollution, coastal processes, and many other associated phenomena. Oceanography is an interdisciplinary emerging subject and students all over the world who come from varied disciplines are pursuing it as higher studies. Long sections are devoted to ocean–atmosphere interaction, tides, waves, and related coastal processes. The book represents a comprehensive idea of human activities bestowing the ocean with particular reference to Indian examples. This book helps to understand marine pollution and the behavior of oil, plastic, and other agents in the light of real-world examples and empirical models. Harnessing electricity from waves and tides is a technological advancement in the field of unconventional energy. The vast resources of the ocean like oil, mineral, methane hydrate, and their proper estimation and exploitation is the topic of discussion in the third part of the book. This book is designated to meet the essential needs of the students studying oceanography and marine science. It may be helpful to professional oceanographers also.

This report explores the potential for mitigating the impacts of climate change by improved management and protection of marine ecosystems and especially the vegetated coastal habitat, or blue carbon sinks. The objective of this report is to highlight the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems in maintaining our climate and in assisting policy makers to mainstream an oceans agenda into national and international climate change initiatives. While emissions' reductions are currently at the centre of the climate change discussions, the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems has been vastly overlooked.

This book presents a comprehensive and innovative understanding of the role of shallow coastal ecosystems in carbon cycling, particularly marine carbon sequestration. Incorporating a series of forward-looking chapters, the book combines thorough reviews of the global literature and regional assessments—mainly around the Indo-Pacific region and Japan—with global perspectives to provide a thorough assessment of carbon cycling in shallow coastal systems. It advocates the expansion of blue-carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes) into macroalgal beds, tidal flats, coral reefs, and urbanized shallow waters, demonstrating the potential of these ecosystems as new carbon sinks. Moreover, it discusses not only topics that are currently the focus of blue-carbon studies, i.e., sedimentary carbon stock and accumulation rate, but also CO2 gas exchange between the atmosphere and shallow coastal ecosystems, carbon storage in the water column as refractory organic carbon, and off-site carbon storage. Including highly original contributions, this comprehensive work inspires research beyond the specific regions covered by the chapters. The suite of new concepts and approaches is refreshing and demonstrates that blue-carbon research is indeed a vibrant new field of research, providing deep insights into neglected aspects of carbon cycling in the marine environment. At the same time the book provides guidance for policy makers to deliver benefits to society, for example the inclusion of blue carbon as a carbon offset scheme or the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in the Paris Agreement, and also for building resilience in coastal socio-ecosystems through better management. This book is intended for all those interested in the science and management of coastal ecosystems.

This work summarizes the science and management of a rapidly expanding topic in climate science, namely adaptation and mitigation. The term 'blue carbon' refers to the rates, pathways and volumes of greenhouse carbon sequestered in coastal estuarine and marine ecosystems such as salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass meadows. Blue carbon and its vital role in climate change mitigation are central to this book. Readers find summaries and analysis of both the basic scientific data and data from blue carbon field projects, and a practical guide on how to manage a successful blue carbon field project. There is a discussion on how to maximize the carbon sequestration and consideration of whether blue carbon projects make a difference. The work is not only of interest to scholars involved in climate science, but also those in the marine sciences, and those in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry; geochemistry; estuarine and marine plant ecology.

Dynamic Sedimentary Environments of Mangrove Coasts provides knowledge on the importance of sedimentary dynamics in managing mangrove forests. In the first part of the book, the editors seamlessly offer a general introduction of mangrove sedimentary dynamics. This leads into more in-depth information on soil surface elevation change, sea level rise, and the importance of sedimentary dynamics in the loss or gain of blue carbon. The book concludes the discussion of mangrove sedimentary dynamics by addressing the issues of climate change (e.g. sea level rise and blue carbon) on mangrove restoration and sediment. This book will assist coastal managers and academics in addressing the gaps in mangrove restoration and coastal management. As such, it will be a valuable reference for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, academics in the field of coastal restoration, and coastal management practitioners. Provides a state-of-the-art summary of research into sedimentary dynamics in mangrove forests Includes updates on issues of climate change-relevant to mangroves, such as blue carbon and sea level rise Presents scientific background and successful case studies for mangrove restoration that can solve problems relating to mangrove management