Eelgrass: A Climate Hero, Fact Sheet

Extracted text (beginning)

EELGRASS: A Climate Hero  
Eelgrasses provide a myriad of ecosystem services, including storing organic 
carbon, known as ‘blue carbon,’ in their stems, roots, and sediments! 
 
 
Seagrasses provide a myriad of ecosystem services, including storing 
organic carbon, known as ‘blue carbon,’ in their stems, root systems, 
and deep sediments! 
 
BLUE CARBON FACTS 
BLUE CARBON SYSTEMS 
Mangroves 
Seagrasses 
Marshes 
SEAGRASS across the Globe 
 
 
 
0.2% 
10% 
Some blue carbon systems can store 
carbon up to 12x faster than terrestrial 
forests! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
48-112 
million tonnes 
of carbon is 
estimated to be 
stored in seagrass 
habitats globally, 
annually 
 
 
790 km
2 
(3
%
) 
Seagrass meadows 
that are mapped 
along the Canadian 
coastlines 
There are  
26,348 km
2
 
of seagrass meadows 
existing along the 
Canadian coastlines
 
 
2,351 
Students 
 
0.4-2.6% 
 A commonly distributed species of 
seagrass 
 Located in the shallow areas of 
temperate estuaries 
 Helps to regulate water quality, 
stabilize shorelines, and provides 
crucial breeding and nursery habitats 
for fish, such as salmon and herring 
Despite the ecological importance of seagrass, these habitats 
are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth due to 
agriculture, forestry and commercial development.  
When seagrass ecosystems are disturbed or destroyed, the 
carbon stored in their soils can be released back into the 
ocean and atmosphere, shifting these systems from carbon 
sinks to sources. 
150-2250 
million tonnes 
Carbon dioxide 
(CO
2
) released into 
the atmosphere 
annually 
 
 
 
29% 
There is a lack of detailed data on blue carbon systems, 
specifically seagrass, along the Pacific Coast of Canada.  
While global estimates are available, we need locally 
specific estimates of carbon storage, and emissions 
values. 
Applying broad estimates of carbon storage can result in 
over- or underestimating a system’s carbon storage 
potential. 
Understanding blue carbon habitats will be important for 
incorporating them into conservation planning and climate 
change mitigation on the Pacific Coast of Canada. 
  
Of the ocean floor is 
covered in seagrass 
Of the yearly total organic carbon stored in the 
ocean is stored by seagrass, a disproportionate 
amount for their relatively small area 
Of seagrass area is lost 
every year 
Of seagrass area has been lost since 1879 
Seagrasses form dense 
underwater meadows!

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