Wildlife charities are urging stronger protection of the seabed in the South West after reports revealed significant carbon storage in the top 10cm of seabed sediments.
Known as “blue carbon,” this stored carbon helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
WWF, The Wildlife Trusts, and the RSPB are calling on the UK government to “strengthen protections for valuable blue carbon stores by minimising the impacts of human activities on the seabed”.
The Blue Carbon Mapping Project, released Thursday, provides the first estimate of carbon stored in UK seabed habitats, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
It found 36.4 million tonnes of organic carbon stored in the top 10cm of sediments in the English Channel and Western Approaches, covering 111,469 sq km, along with coastal habitats like salt marshes and seagrass beds.
The project warns that activities such as bottom trawling, moorings, and offshore developments can disturb these areas, releasing carbon and worsening climate change.
Peter Burgess, director of nature recovery at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “The South West’s marine and coastal habitats support a stunning array of wildlife – from seahorses sheltering in sea grass beds through to whales, dolphins, and blue finned tuna off our shores.
“This pioneering research now reveals how crucial our marine seabed habitats are in locking up vast quantities of carbon.
“The larger the area of seabed which is left intact, the brighter the future will be for both us, our climate and wildlife.”
There are now calls for improved management of MPAs to protect these valuable ecosystems.
Tom Brook, blue carbon specialist at WWF-UK, said: “While salt marshes and kelp forests punch above their weight in terms of capturing carbon, the mud really is the star here – accumulating and storing vast amounts on the seabed.
“But we need to make sure it goes undisturbed for it to fulfil this critical function by preventing harmful activities such as bottom trawling, starting with our Marine Protected Areas.”
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