A recent study by the University of Oregon and partner institutions has found that forested tidal swamps in the Pacific Northwest are storing massive amounts of carbon in their soils. The study analyzed nearly 1,300 sediment samples from the Pacific Northwest coast and found that these swamps can trap about nine million tonnes of organic carbon per hectare, equivalent to the amount of carbon burned by two million gas-powered cars every year. The study’s findings suggest that these ecosystems are “carbon storage superheroes” and play a critical role in mitigating climate change. The researchers also found that these swamps emit less methane, making them a valuable resource for the carbon offset market. The study’s lead author, Margot Hessing-Lewis, notes that while many of these carbon hotspots have been destroyed by logging and development, there are still opportunities to map and protect them. The study’s findings have significant implications for conservation efforts and highlight the importance of protecting these unique ecosystems.
The West Coast’s tidal swamps function as highly effective carbon filters, absorbing and storing excess CO2 from the atmosphere.
