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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and marine sediments sequester carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change while increasing local marine biodiversity and providing coastal protection. The carbon sequestration capacity of Germany’s Blue Carbon ecosystems is relatively small compared to the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, it is essential to prioritise the optimal protection of existing Blue Carbon ecosystems. In a study published in the journal Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science a team of researchers led by Julian Koplin (AWI/RIFS) and Corina Peter (AWI) calls for measures to strengthen Blue Carbon ecosystems while aligning climate action with biodiversity goals.
“Climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most pressing global challenges. Blue carbon ecosystems – in other words, marine and coastal ecosystems that sequester carbon and store it over long time scales – help to address both problems: they mitigate climate change and fulfil important ecosystem functions,” says Koplin. Seagrass meadows and salt marshes are already defined as blue carbon ecosystems in northern Europe. The contributions of macroalgae, marine sediments and biogenic reefs have not yet been conclusively clarified and are still being studied.
Blue Carbon research on the upswing
The authors stress the need to standardise measurement methods, expand inventories, and improve data on Blue Carbon ecosystems to close existing knowledge gaps. Blue Carbon research is currently on the upswing, as evidenced by numerous newly funded projects worldwide. In Germany, the coalition agreement, the Natural Climate Protection Action Programme and the National Strategy for the Sustainable Use and Protection of the Oceans all identify Blue Carbon research as a priority.
The study argues that Germany’s Blue Carbon strategy could be further strengthened through more robust research. The strategy is based on the "Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity" from 2023. EU directives such as the Habitats Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Nature Restoration Law, which came into force in the EU in June 2024, set overarching targets, including the protection of 30 per cent of land and marine areas and the maintenance or restoration of habitats to “good ecological status” – including many Blue Carbon ecosystems.
Protecting carbon reservoirs like the Wadden Sea
The researchers conclude that, while promising strategic approaches already exist, a comprehensive and coordinated governance framework should be developed that aligns regional, national, and European policies, fosters effective cross-sector collaboration, and reduces fragmentation.
“We believe it is particularly important to develop legal safeguards, but also to develop indicators for monitoring and verifying changes in long-term carbon storage over time. A national Blue Carbon restoration plan could strengthen the synergies between existing strategies for restoration, conservation and climate action,” says Koplin. In Germany, the primary focus must be on securing existing marine carbon stores to avoid additional release of already stored carbon. At the same time, restoration efforts should target ecosystems where carbon sequestration potentials and biodiversity benefits can be maximised.
In densely populated and heavily used areas such as the German coasts, competing interests and economic pressures add complexity. Addressing these challenges requires the careful consideration of societal and political factors. The early involvement of affected groups is crucial to achieving effective outcomes, the authors explain. The ecological, economic and social functions of Blue Carbon ecosystems and their contribution to the sustainable development of the regions and communities concerned must be carefully balanced in order to minimise conflicts, foster public support, and ensure their sustainable management.
While nature-based solutions play a vital role, climate change mitigation cannot rely on them alone. Effective and sustainable mitigation is a complex, multi-layered challenge, with emissions avoidance remaining the foremost priority. Moreover, ongoing climate change also poses significant risks to Blue Carbon ecosystems.
Julian Koplin
julian.koplin@rifs-potsdam.de
Koplin, J., Peter, C., Bischof, K., Böttcher, M. E., Kuhn, A., Logemann, E., Dolch, T., Henkel, S., McCarthy, D., Mueller, P., Morys, C., Pineda-Metz, S. E., Reents, S., Reusch, T. B., Röschel, L., Rupprecht, F., Stevenson, A., Wiltshire, K. H., Zimmer, M., & Pogoda, B. (2025). Blue Carbon Potential in Germany: Status and Future Development. Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, 323: 109354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109354
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