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Project title

An investigation into the soil carbon dynamics of Irish salt marshes

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Taighde Eireann Research Ireland (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Patricia Holland

Project Abstract

Coastal wetlands are unique and valuable ecosystems, not least because of their climate mitigation and adaptation potential. Not only do coastal wetlands offer adaptation benefits in our changing climate, such as flood mitigation from storms or sea level rise, but they are also recognized as âœblue carbonâsites due to their ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Ireland's extensive coastline provides ample blue carbon habitats in the form of coastal wetlands, including five types of salt marshes. However, there is a need to study these wetlands in greater depth to inform the extent to which they currently store carbon, their potential to continue storing carbon, and the amount of carbon that could be released back into the atmosphere should they be degraded. This research proposal intends to add to the growing body of knowledge and data about how Irish coastal wetlands specifically salt marshes can contribute to climate mitigation by studying their carbon dynamics. Research to date has taken stock of existing carbon storage, analysed the historical rates of carbon sequestration in one type of Irish salt marsh, and broadly classified Irish salt marsh soils. However, further investigation of historical carbon sequestration rates, the characteristics of the soils, and how soils from different types of salt marshes respond to higher temperatures will provide a more complete picture to inform climate mitigation strategies, management decisions, policy priorities, and greenhouse accounting. The carbon dynamics of Irish salt marshes will be studied through three interrelated objectives: i) Analyse how soil carbon sequestration rates vary across different types of Irish salt marshes ii) Determine how certain soil characteristics vary across these salt marshes iii) Explore how higher temperatures affect the release of CO2 from salt marsh soils through soil respiration

Grant Approved

€68,000.00

Research Hub

Protecting and Restoring Our Natural Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

01/09/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/08/2027