Franco João N, Sainz Meyer Hugo, Babe Óscar, Martins Marta, Reis Bianca, Sanchez-Gallego Álvaro, Lemos Marco F L, Dolbeth Marina, Sousa-Pinto Isabel, Arenas Francisco
MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET-Aquatic Research Network Associated Laboratory, ESTM, Polytechnic of Leiria, Peniche, Portugal.
CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 12;15(1):29573. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09361-9.
Blue Carbon encompasses the organic carbon sequestered and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems, including seaweed forests. This study aims to quantify the potential Blue Carbon storage and sequestration rates of subtidal kelp forests in Northern Portugal, focusing on the most dominant species Laminaria hyperborea and Saccorhiza polyschides. Through in-situ measurements of forest extension, biomass, growth, and carbon content, we determined that these kelp forests store approximately 16.48 Gg of carbon in aboveground biomass, covering an area of 5189 hectares. The estimated carbon sequestration rate is 1903 Mg C year, which is lower than the 3717 Mg C year sequestered by saltmarshes and seagrasses in mainland Portugal (available data). However, when normalised by area, kelp forests sequester carbon at rates that equal or exceed those of saltmarshes and seagrasses, underscoring their significance for regional carbon management. Despite this, export assumptions significantly influence total carbon flux estimates, and large portions of the Portuguese coastline remain understudied. Expanding in-situ assessments, combined with regional modelling would improve Blue Carbon estimates and lay the groundwork for a future national-scale assessment. Given their potential role in climate mitigation, conservation and restoration efforts should be prioritized to protect and enhance the Blue Carbon capacity of kelp forests and associated habitats.
蓝碳包括沿海和海洋生态系统（包括海藻林）封存和储存的有机碳。本研究旨在量化葡萄牙北部潮下带海带林的潜在蓝碳储存和封存率，重点关注最主要的物种北方海带和多肋囊藻。通过对森林范围、生物量、生长和碳含量的实地测量，我们确定这些海带林在地上生物量中储存了约16.48千兆克碳，覆盖面积为5189公顷。估计的碳封存率为每年1903公吨碳，低于葡萄牙大陆盐沼和海草封存的每年3717公吨碳（现有数据）。然而，按面积归一化后，海带林的碳封存率等于或超过盐沼和海草，突出了它们在区域碳管理中的重要性。尽管如此，输出假设对总碳通量估计有显著影响，葡萄牙大部分海岸线仍未得到充分研究。扩大实地评估并结合区域建模将改善蓝碳估计，并为未来的国家尺度评估奠定基础。鉴于它们在缓解气候方面的潜在作用，应优先开展保护和恢复工作，以保护和增强海带林及相关栖息地的蓝碳能力。
