Learn how wetlands can naturally help with climate change impacts

Introduction

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts a wide variety of wetlands research to provide federal, state, and local organizations with the information they need to make restoration, conservation, and land use management decisions.

Role of Wetlands in Climate Change Mitigation

A key focus for USGS wetlands research is the role of these ecosystems in climate change mitigation. Wetlands have the ability to capture large quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store them in their soil and plants, a process known as carbon sequestration. In fact, wetlands are such powerful carbon sinks that they can store carbon that has accumulated over hundreds to thousands of years. The carbon stored in coastal and ocean ecosystems is referred to as blue carbon.

The USGS collects, analyzes, and synthesizes blue carbon data in both degraded and healthy wetlands to improve estimates of carbon sequestration and methane emissions on local, regional, and national scales. This information is used to determine how land use management and environmental changes like sea level rise can affect carbon capture and storage. The USGS also works with land management agencies and other partners to assess opportunities for soil carbon sequestration and methane emissions reduction, integrating wetlands within programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Managers and planners can use USGS blue carbon research to better understand the impacts of different land use decisions and make choices that enhance the climate change mitigation capabilities of wetlands.

Blue Carbon Study Sites

The USGS conducts field studies at specific locations in Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, California, and Washington to measure and monitor carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. Remote sensing techniques are also used to detect land cover change across the United States. Erosion, elevation, and vegetation loss can indicate carbon storage degradation and an increase in methane emissions, while accretion is associated with healthy, resilient wetlands. The site-specific studies help validate the large spatial scale data and modeling, contributing to the advancement of blue carbon management as a natural climate change solution.

Wetland Conditions and Services

In addition to studying blue carbon, the USGS examines past and present wetland conditions to better understand and predict how physical processes, storms, and land use could affect wetlands and the services they provide to society in the future. USGS science, data, and tools assess wetland vulnerability, water quality, and resilience on national, regional, and local scales. They also identify human activities that cause wetland degradation and loss.

Healthy wetlands play a crucial role in protecting communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from storms and flooding by absorbing waves and slowing the flow of water across the watershed. However, growing populations along the nation’s coast have led to increased nutrient and pollutant runoff into watersheds. Wetlands can help filter out contaminants such as fertilizers and sewage. Additionally, wetlands provide critical habitat for animals, including migratory birds, and commercially important fish and shellfish. They also offer opportunities for recreation, such as hiking and bird watching.

USGS wetland research can be used to identify degraded and vulnerable wetlands, as well as healthy and resilient wetlands, enabling management decisions that benefit both humans and the environment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 13.5: Improve the capacity of developing countries to implement effective and sustainable mitigation and adaptation actions

   The article highlights the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation, specifically their ability to capture carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration. This aligns with SDG 13’s focus on climate action.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services
   • Target 15.2: Promote the sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats
   • Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts

   The article emphasizes the importance of wetlands as ecosystems that provide various services, such as storm and flood protection, water filtration, and habitat for animals. These services align with SDG 15’s focus on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators for the targets related to SDG 13. However, for the targets under SDG 15, the article implies indicators related to wetland degradation and loss caused by human activities. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of wetlands and reducing the degradation of natural habitats.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: usgs.gov

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