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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
coral reefs protect mangrove and seagrass habitat from currents, waves, and storms. Healthy reefs
can slow incoming waves, dissipating much of the force.
Many commercial and recreational fish and shellfish species share Blue Carbon and coral reef habitat such as these
White Margate off Ambergris Caye, Belize (image credit Steven J Lutz, Blue Climate Solutions).
Coral reef ecosystems are also vital to the livelihoods and well-being of many coastal and island
communities around the world. Healthy reefs have positive spill-over effects on local economies.
These effects include replenishment of fish stocks and the potential for sustainable alternative
livelihoods to fishing, thanks to increased tourism revenues and restoration of ecosystem services
such as shoreline protection. Tourism and fisheries are two of the main economic pillars for many
coastal and island states and healthy coral reef ecosystems are critical to both. As nature-based
coastal tourism is one of the hospitality industry’s fastest growing sectors and food security is a
pressing issue for coastal and island states, the value of healthy Blue Carbon and associated
ecosystems is likely to rise.
Figure 7 illustrates the crucial linkages between terrestrial ecosystems, adjacent Blue Carbon
ecosystems, and coral reefs. When occurring together and in healthy states, the ecological
linkages and ecosystem services of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are vital to one
another and to the long-term health and sustainability of greater coral reef ecosystems. A ‘ridge to
reef’ approach to Blue Carbon projects follows an ecosystem approach, which can help address
land-based impacts, protect connected corridors between these habitats, and maintain the
resilience and productivity of greater coral reef ecosystems.
Key takeaways:
Coral reefs are not considered Blue Carbon sinks but they are an associated Blue Carbon
ecosystem of significant value.
When occurring together, coral reefs are an important associated Blue Carbon ecosystem, and
mangroves and seagrass beds can be considered part of greater coral reef ecosystems.
