The University of Wollongong led research team behind a study that found coastal wetlands capture more carbon as sea levels rise has been named a finalist in the 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
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The Blue Carbon Horizons Team's research was published in the prestigious science journal Nature earlier this year.
Yesterday the team, which also includes scientists from Macquarie University and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), was nominated for the 2019 NSW Environment, Energy and Science (DPIE) Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.
Eureka Prize winners will be announced at a gala award dinner at Sydney Town Hall on August 28.
"Our paper shows that carbon storage by coastal wetlands is explicitly linked to sea-level rise," lead author Associate Professor Kerrylee Rogers, from UOW's School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, said.
The team also includes Dr Jeffrey Kelleway, Professor Neil Saintilan, Dr Debashish Mazumder, Ms Atun Zawadzki and Professor Colin Woodroffe.
"Coastal wetlands are incredibly effective at capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These wetlands are also at the forefront of sea-level rise impacts," Prof Rogers said.
"The capture and storage of carbon by coastal wetlands has a dual benefit.
"As well as removing CO2 from the atmosphere, the organic carbon that accumulates also builds the elevation of the wetland as sea levels rise. This could potentially offset the degree of coastal inundation that may occur with sea-level rise."
Our paper shows that carbon storage by coastal wetlands is explicitly linked to sea-level rise.
- Associate Professor Kerrylee Rogers
Working with colleagues from the Smithsonian Institution, USA, and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, the team gathered data from 345 locations worldwide, showing that historically, sea-level rise has increased the amount of carbon stored in wetlands.
"Our team dug in to the global sedimentary record and found that both historic and current sea-level rise has substantially increased the amount of 'blue carbon' sequestered by coastal wetlands," Prof Rogers said.
"In a time of accelerating sea-level rise, our findings provide a powerful incentive for wetland conservation and restoration in Australia and across the globe."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
