Deakin Marine Research and Innovation Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
Deakin Marine Research and Innovation Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Biosciences and Food Technology Discipline, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
J Environ Manage. 2024 Sep;367:122006. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122006. Epub 2024 Aug 1.
Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), such as mangroves, saltmarshes, and seagrasses, are important nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation but are threatened by degradation. Effective BCE restoration requires strategic planning and site selection to optimise outcomes. We developed a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision support tool to identify suitable areas for BCE restoration along the 2512 km-long coastline of Victoria, Australia. High-resolution spatial data on BCE distribution, coastal geomorphology, hydrodynamics, and land tenure were integrated into a flexible spatial model that distinguishes between passive and active restoration suitability. The tool was applied to identify high-priority locations for mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass restoration across different scenarios. Results indicate substantial potential for BCE restoration in Victoria, with 33,253 ha of suitable area identified, mostly (>97%) on public land, which aligned with the selection criteria used in the tool. Restoration opportunities are concentrated in bays and estuaries where historical losses have been significant. The mapped outputs provide a decision-support framework for regional restoration planning, while the tool itself can be adapted to other geographies. By integrating multiple spatial criteria and distinguishing between passive and active restoration, our approach offers a new method for targeting BCE restoration and informing resource allocation. The identified restoration potential will also require collaboration with coastal managers and communities, and consideration of socio-economic factors. With further refinements, such as incorporating multi-criteria decision analysis techniques, GIS-based tools can help catalyse strategic blue carbon investments and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation goals at different spatial scales. This study highlights the value of spatial identification for BCE restoration and provides a transferable framework for other regions.
蓝碳生态系统（BCEs），如红树林、盐沼和海草，是应对气候变化减缓和适应的重要自然解决方案，但它们受到退化的威胁。有效的 BCE 恢复需要战略规划和选址，以优化结果。我们开发了一种基于地理信息系统（GIS）的多标准决策支持工具，以确定澳大利亚维多利亚州 2512 公里长的海岸线沿线 BCE 恢复的适宜区域。BCE 分布、沿海地貌、水动力和土地保有权的高分辨率空间数据被整合到一个灵活的空间模型中，该模型区分被动和主动恢复适宜性。该工具用于在不同情景下确定红树林、盐沼和海草恢复的高优先级地点。结果表明，维多利亚州有大量 BCE 恢复的潜力，确定了 33253 公顷的适宜区域，主要（>97%）位于公有土地上，这与工具中使用的选择标准一致。恢复机会集中在海湾和河口，这些地方历史上的损失较大。映射输出为区域恢复规划提供了决策支持框架，而工具本身可以适应其他地理区域。通过整合多个空间标准和区分被动和主动恢复，我们的方法为 BCE 恢复提供了一种新的方法，并为资源分配提供了信息。所确定的恢复潜力还需要与沿海管理者和社区合作，并考虑社会经济因素。通过进一步改进，例如纳入多标准决策分析技术，基于 GIS 的工具可以帮助推动战略性蓝碳投资，并为不同空间尺度的气候变化减缓和适应目标做出贡献。本研究强调了空间识别对 BCE 恢复的价值，并为其他地区提供了可转移的框架。
