Mr John Aalders1
1University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Tidal wetlands are known to be important as carbon stores in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. There are few reliable estimates available for Australian coastal saltmarshes and none for Tasmania. To address this gap, an extensive investigation was conducted involving 91 sites/407 plots state-wide, including major off-shore islands. The study reports on soil carbon levels for Tasmanian native coastal saltmarshes providing a highly detailed and spatially differentiated account of the quantum and distribution of this carbon store. Compared to elsewhere in Australia, Tasmanian saltmarsh soils are found to be shallower on average, limiting the amount of stored carbon when compared to other states. In aggregate figures, Tasmanian coastal saltmarshes contain a total carbon stock of 390,000 tonnes, currently valued at $19.8 million (AUD), with an average carbon offset value of $3,380 per hectare. The study also identified limitations in current reporting and proposes an improved protocol to account for common errors and uncertainties in carbon calculation.
Biography:
John Aalders (BSc (Honours)) is a PhD Candidate at the University of Tasmania. John has a strong interest and expertise in Tasmanian coastal saltmarshes with a focus on vegetation patterning, soils and halophilic plant species resilience.
