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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
essentially the understanding of a project sites’ total natural carbon stock and the resources and
ability to effectively manage, verify and monitor this resource. This element should include the
production of spatial dataset for the extent of a Blue Carbon ecosystem (e.g. maps of carbon
stock), the development of a central spatial database and online tools (for scientists and
managers) and the validation of these data sets through workshops and ground-truthing. Key tasks
covered in the Geographic Analysis and Ground Truthing element could include the following:
Establish a spatial dataset for Blue Carbon ecosystem extent, using satellite data and imagery,
including aerial photography if available. Such imagery may already exist with local partners.
Steps could include the following:
1.
Identify the ecosystem type (e.g., mangrove) and sub-types (e.g., ecologically distinct
types of mangrove forest with equally distinct carbon stocks) of interest.
2.
Inventory all existing spatial data-sets covering the habitat of interest to determine
whether existing maps are contemporary, cover the entire area of interest, provide the
level of detail in terms of habitat sub-types, and are accurate (ground-truth/expert
consultation).
3.
If existing maps suffice, these should be used to establish field plots and or collect
samples; if existing maps are not good enough, new map(s) must be derived from
remotely sensed data and subsequently ground truthed to assess accuracy prior to
establishing plots/collecting samples.
4.
Once plots have been established and or field data have been collected, then a central
data-base can be created for storage and upload.
Understand historical ecosystem coverage and uses and impacts, and consequently the
projection of future uses and potential impacts; and
Validate and ground-truth the spatial dataset to ensure accuracy and precision, which could be
achieved through the development of online validation tools and the holding of local expert
workshops, field-based measurements coordinated with the carbon assessment, and the
development of a central database for storage and upload of geographic data.
Ecosystem Services Assessment
An ecosystem services assessment is an optional element that explores the linkages between
human well-being and ecosystem services in addressing environmental and sustainability issues.
This is an optional element for Blue Carbon projects, for those interested in potentially bundling or
staking the value of carbon sequestration with other Blue Carbon ecosystem services in promoting
improved ecosystem management. Both the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project (Case
Study 8.1) and the Global Environment (GEF) funded interventions of the Blue Forests Project
(Case Study 8.6) include ecosystem services elements. A combined Blue Carbon and ecosystem
services approach is described in Section 4. Tasks for an ecosystem services assessment can
include the following:
Assessing existing information regarding Blue Carbon ecosystem services in a national or
project site context and identifying information gaps;
Filling in identified information gaps through early and continuous stakeholder and
community-level socioeconomic engagement, including workshops, surveys and
questionnaires; and
The production of an ecosystem services assessment report.
