ABSTRACT
Information on meadow distribution is essential for calculating the blue carbon benefit provided by seagrasses. Blue carbon studies typically estimate seagrass carbon stocks by multiplying the average organic carbon (Corg) concentration in individual carbon pools—including above- and belowground biomass and bed sediment Corg—by meadow extent. Seagrass areal surveys remain incomplete, despite recent advancements in seagrass remote-sensing techniques. Successfully managing the seagrass blue carbon stored in bed sediments and sequestered in plant biomass will, therefore, require accurate maps of meadow distribution, extent, species identity, and configuration changes over time. Tidal areas may host both euryhaline seagrasses and other, predominantly freshwater grass species, which are collectively referred to as submersed aquatic vegetation. Only a fraction of the world’s coastlines has actually been surveyed for seagrasses, and many extent changes, including natural recovery. Declines in seagrass coverage are likely indicators of vulnerable blue carbon stocks in subaqueous soils.
