Spatial Heterogeneity of Blue Carbon in Salt Marshes of the Lower Chesapeake Bay
Project Lead: Zlatka Rebolledo Sanchez (PhD Graduate Researcher)
Salt marshes, along with seagrass beds and mangrove forests, have been described as “blue carbon” ecosystems for the high amount of carbon sequestered and stored. Despite, numerous studies there remains a limited understanding of the functioning of blue carbon dynamics at intermediate spatial scales and in the context of patch size and shape complexity. I am investigating how different spatial characteristics of salt marshes could affect the amount of carbon stored and sequestered at different spatial scales. It is imperative to understand salt marshes not just as single patches, but rather as part of the broader landscape and seascape, linking plot-based studies to landscape scale estimates. If we can understand which salt marshes should have priority based on their characteristics, we can adequately protect and manage this ecosystem, while prioritizing patches that are of importance for resilience and community protection. While carbon-focused studies in salt marshes are common, there remains a limited understanding of spatial variability. Variations with patches and across scales could give us answers and practical applications. This work aims to understand differences in carbon storage and sequestration based on edge effects, patch sizes, and marsh complexity. Visit Zlatka's own website for the most recent updates on her work and to learn more. |