The UK’s saltmarshes are essential in the fight against climate change, acting as natural “carbon sinks” that lock away greenhouse gases in their muddy layers, according to a recent report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Despite significant loss due to agricultural development, these tidal habitats are now recognized for their capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide.
WWF is advocating for the formal inclusion of saltmarshes in the UK’s carbon inventory, which could incentivize their restoration and protection. In collaboration with the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, WWF installed solar-powered greenhouse gas monitoring stations at Hesketh Out Marsh in North-West England. The year-long study revealed that saltmarsh plants absorb more carbon dioxide during the summer than they emit in the winter.
These findings reinforce previous research on carbon storage in marshland mud and underscore the importance of preserving these ecosystems. Beyond carbon sequestration, saltmarshes serve as natural flood defenses and provide critical habitats for wildlife, including wading birds like avocets.
Source:
BBC News, May 30, 2025. Read more
