Seminar: Tidal marsh restoration and conservation for climate change mitigation and adaptation
March 12, 2008 at 12:00pm
Brian Needelman, University of Maryland
Joint Global Change Research Institute
5825 University Research Court, Suite 3500
College Park, MD 20740
College Park, MD 20740
Abstract
Tidal marshes have high carbon sequestration rates due to high net primary productivity, low decomposition rates, and vertical accretion under sea level rise. There is increased interest in estimating and maximizing carbon sequestration rates in tidal marshes due to the need to increase accretion rates for marsh sustainability and because marsh restoration and conservation may contribute to climate change mitigation. Also, marsh restoration projects may be eligible for carbon credits under various regional and national programs. Maryland is currently proposing that salt marsh restoration and conservation be an eligible offset within the northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In this presentation, I will discuss the potential for carbon sequestration through coastal wetland restoration in the United States, the value that these carbon credits may generate, and the scientific and policy challenges associated with maximizing carbon sequestration and obtaining carbon credits through coastal wetland restoration. Carbon sequestration maximization involves decisions on the design and management of tidal marshes including such options as prescribed burns, thin-layering, and nutrient additions. Carbon crediting challenges include land ownership issues (federal, state, private), accounting for losses and protection of existing wetlands, long-term carbon fate, verification demands, baseline carbon accounting, allochthonous carbon, methane emissions, and carbon usage during restoration. A proposed restoration of up to 8,000 hectares in Maryland, including lands within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge) will be used as a case study. Carbon sequestration is one of many important ecosystem services provided through wetland restoration and may be a source of initial and long-term income for restoration projects.
About the Speaker
Brian Needelman is an Assistant Professor of Soil Science at the University of Maryland in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology. His research focuses on terrestrial carbon sequestration and he participates in a number of related activities including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Offsets Working Group for Maryland and the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership. He received his Ph.D. in soil science from Penn State University.
