GOALS

COMPONENTS

INDEX BY COUNTRY

ABOUT OHI

NEWS

SEARCH
Follow us

Carbon Storage
PRESERVING HABITATS THAT ABSORB CARBON
Global Goal Score

What is This?

m
0 10 20

Likely Future State

Goal By Country

15

%
How Does Your Country Compare?

*The estimate of a goals likely near-term future status is a function of four dimensions: Status, Trend, Pressure, and Resilience.

What Does This Score Mean?

The reference point for Carbon Storage compares the current extent and condition of CO2 storing coastal habitats (mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes) relative to their condition in the early 1980s. A score of 100 would indicate that these habitats are all still intact or have been restored to the same condition as they were in the early 1980s. A score of 0 would indicate that these carbon storing coastal habitats are completely absent, while a low score indicates that these habitats have declined significantly since 1980 and that more protection and restoration must occur in order for them to store the maximum amount of carbon.

Current Score
The current score of 75 indicates that although, in many places, these habitats remain healthy and intact, a significant number have declined significantly since 1980. More protection and restoration must occur if they are to sequester and store the maximum amount of carbon possible.

N/A

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Why Is Carbon Storage Important?

The ocean plays a major role in slowing the pace of global climate change by absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon (CO2). Contrary to ocean waters, fringing habitats trap carbon without generating the negative impacts on marine life that are associated with ocean acidification. The Carbon Storage goal assesses three coastal habitats seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and mangrove forests that, when destroyed, rapidly release carbon back into the atmosphere. Though they form less than 2% of the oceans surface area, these habitats account for approximately half of the total carbon sequestered in ocean sediments.

Emily Pidgeon

Download Infographic

How Is It Measured?
Present Status
Present Status is a goal's current value (based on the most recent available data) compared to a reference point.

EACH GOAL IS EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF FOUR DIMENSIONS.

Trend
Trend is the average percent change in the present status for the most recent 5 years of data.

Pressures
Pressures are the sum of the ecological and social pressures that negatively affect scores for a goal.

Resilience
Resilience is the sum of the ecological factors and social initiatives (policies, laws, etc) that can positively affect scores for a goal by reducing or eliminating pressures.

Pressures
Chemical Pollution

Pressures are human-caused stressors that influence both ecological and social systems, negatively affecting the ability of a goal to deliver its benefits to people.

Nutrient Pollution

Habitat Destruction Intertidal

Social Pressure

Alien Species

Sea Surface Temperature

Ocean Acidification

Status

Status refers to the current value of a goal relative to its goal-specific reference

Status refers to the current value of a goal relative to its goal-specific reference point. The reference point is the best condition for a goal that can reasonably be achieved; it is a target to aim for when taking actions to improve ocean health.

Mangroves Condition

Seagrass Area

Seagrass Condition

Salt Marsh Area

Salt Marsh Condition

Resilience
CBD Habitat

Resilience refers to the social, institutional, and ecological factors that positively affect the ability of a goal to deliver its benefits to people.

Marine Protected Areas Coastal

Quality Of Governance

CBD Water

References
Duarte et al., 2005. FAO 2007, Waycott et al. 2009. Feely et al., 2001. IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Jahnke 2008, IUCN- The Management of Natural Coastal Carbon Sinks. Text

Nellemann, C., Corcoran, E., Duarte, C.M., Valdes, L., De Young, C., Fonseca, L., Grimsditch, G. (Eds.). 2009. Blue Carbon. A Rapid Response Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme, GRID-Arendal.

Featured Stories
Faces Of OHI News

Carbon Keepers
August 13, 2012

Carbon Storage: Oceans In Focus

August 08, 2012

PHOTO(S): James Forte/National Geographic

Sign Up For Ocean Health Updates

your email address
Yes, I want to receive email updates from the Ocean Health Index.

Submit
We will never share your information with anyone for any reason. You can unsubscribe from the list at any time from the bottom of each email.

Goals
Food Provision Artisanal Fishing Opportunities Natural Products Carbon Storage Coastal Protection Coastal Livelihoods & Economies Tourism & Recreation Sense of Place Clean Waters Biodiversity

Components
Select Component

About OHI
Methods Sustaining Partners Contributors Contact FAQ Glossary

News
August 16, 2012 The Ocean Health Index August 15, 2012 Ocean Health Index: Scientists August 14, 2012 What is 100?

Follow us

Index by Country
Select Country

Legal Terms of Service