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NASA Researchers Study Coastal Wetlands, Champions of Carbon Capture
- NASA researchers are studying coastal wetlands to understand their impact on atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, as part of the BlueFlux Campaign.
- Coastal wetlands, despite covering less than 2% of the planet's land, remove a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with Florida's coastal wetlands alone estimated to remove 31.8 million metric tons annually.
- The research aims to develop models to estimate and monitor greenhouse gas concentrations globally by studying how wetland vegetation responds to environmental factors like rising temperatures and sea levels.
- Blue carbon, stored in oceans and wetlands, offers opportunities for climate mitigation but requires conservation efforts supported by science to prevent carbon loss.
- Methane, produced in wetland soils, is a potent greenhouse gas released as wetland conditions change, impacting the gas exchange between vegetation and the atmosphere.
- Understanding the relationship between wetland health and gaseous flux, including methane production, is crucial for monitoring the impact of ecological changes on global carbon dioxide and methane levels.
- Despite Florida's wetlands acting as a net climate benefit currently, ongoing climate disturbances could alter their role in greenhouse gas flux.
- Historic rates of blue carbon development in mangrove forests are being identified using core samples, aiding in evaluating carbon storage responses to environmental pressures.
- NASA's BlueFlux campaign contributes to understanding wetland ecology changes and restoration efforts in South Florida to protect vital natural resources and support the local ecosystem.
- The future of South Florida's wetlands, crucial for carbon storage, water supply, and unique biodiversity, relies on sound science and management to ensure coexistence with human activities.
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