Mapping and valuing blue carbon for utilization in marine spatial planning

Blue carbon, the carbon captured and stored in natural marine and coastal habitats, represents a critical ecosystem service that can mitigate against climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. Marine sediments represent a significant global carbon reserve and are key in helping to regulate climate. Yet while the importance of coastal and shallow blue carbon habitats (e.g. seagrass beds and saltmarshes) is recognised, with many such areas being afforded protection, it is estimated that only 2% of subtidal sediments that store carbon are protected against activities that could disturb the seafloor and result in the loss of blue carbon. BC4MSP aims to address this issue, taking a transnational approach across countries in the NPA, countries which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Specifically BC4MSP aims to improve understanding of the extent of blue carbon across the North Atlantic and identify where blue carbon is most likely to be stored in deep sea areas. This will be achieved by taking a new approach in identifying biological and physical features likely to be indicators of blue carbon sinks in deep-sea habitats. BC4MSP then aims to develop innovative Marine Spatial Planning solutions that can incorporate new information about deep-sea blue carbon to best protect it, while considering the conflicting needs of marine stakeholders in this region. Using a stakeholder driven approach BC4MSP will improve understanding of how different marine stakeholders interact with blue carbon, create a wider understanding of the importance of blue carbon and balance the needs of multiple users of our marine spaces while protecting blue carbon. The outcomes of the project will help to best protect blue carbon in the deep North Atlantic, mitigate against climate change and support the sustainable use of seas in the NPA so that they continue to provide important economic, societal and cultural value.The aim of this preparatory project is to develop a high quality Main project applications.