Exploring blue carbon research in India: current landscape and future avenues

Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes, are vital in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide, known as "coastal blue carbon." This study reviews blue carbon stocks in India's ecosystems, revealing a collective carbon stock of 67.35 Tg C, predominantly from mangroves (67 Tg C), with seagrasses (0.0630 Tg C) and saltmarshes (0.0049 Tg C) contributing lesser amounts. Mangroves occupy around 491 km², seagrasses cover 591 km², and saltmarshes span 1398 km². The study highlights significant attention to mangroves and seagrass ecosystems but identifies gaps in research on blue carbon sequestration and carbon accumulation. Key regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bitharkanika, Pichavaram, and the Sundarbans have been studied extensively, yet other areas remain under-researched. Remote sensing is widely used for mapping, and stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) ratios is used for tracing carbon sources, wood web dynamics and assessing impact of pollution. Natural and human-induced pressures challenge carbon sequestration potential, with spatial variability driven by vegetation, salinity, and land use. The paper advocates for conservation, restoration, and monitoring as nature-based solutions to climate change, recommending the inclusion of blue carbon in policy frameworks to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development.