Maine Blue Carbon Network 

The Maine Blue Carbon Network aims to provide a forum to exchange information about advances in Blue Carbon science and coastal carbon inventory methodologies to inform Maine’s inventory development and move forward coastal carbon research in the state. Blue Carbon (or coastal carbon) is a term that refers to the carbon that is sequestered by coastal ecosystems like salt marshes, seagrass beds, and seaweeds. Understanding both the magnitude and the factors influencing these habitats’ ability to sequester carbon are topics of ongoing research by Maine scientists at the forefront of this field. Improving regular mapping and inventories of these habitats is a priority of multiple State agencies and non-governmental partners. Developing and advancing best management practices to fully realize the carbon sequestration value of these habitats is a priority of many in the state.

Mission Statement

The Maine Blue Carbon Network endeavors to (1) provide a forum for exchange of emerging scientific information and research needs among members of the scientific community and coastal managers, (2) serve as a technical resource for coastal managers working to create best practices based on the emerging scientific evidence, (3) advance research to better quantify Maine’s blue carbon resources and practices that increase carbon sequestration in these habitats, and (4) communicate these findings and recommendations to a wider audience. 

Goals

The Maine Blue Carbon Network was formed following the first effort in 2020 to comprehensively estimate the state’s Blue Carbon potential. The accuracy of this effort was hampered by the lack of mapping data for some habitats, significant assumptions about carbon sequestration rates and the impact of sea level rise on the habitats, and unknowns about the magnitude of impact associated with management and restoration practices (e.g. seaweed aquaculture, tidal improvement at salt marshes, eelgrass bed restoration). The initial goals of the Maine Blue Carbon Network thus support research and sharing of information to fill these information gaps. The Maine Blue Carbon Network seeks to meet regularly to advance research goals/identify gaps, and to communicate with a range of stakeholders on the following topics:

• Inventories of Maine’s Blue Carbon resources (salt marshes, seagrasses, and seaweeds) to inform baseline estimates of current storage and sequestration

• Identify additional inventory and monitoring needs for Maine’s Blue Carbon resources to fill any identified knowledge gaps

• Changes in sequestration/emissions over time

• Impact of restoration/conservation practices that aim to optimize carbon burial and obtain both climate mitigation and resilience benefits

• Emerging or new and relevant datasets/studies.

Background

The Maine Blue Carbon Network was formed in 2020 by scientists from Bates College, Bigelow Laboratories, Maine Natural Areas Program, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Island Institute, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Maine Coastal Program following a collaboration to develop the Blue Carbon Optimization Strategy for the Maine Climate Council. This work was subsequently incorporated into the 2020 State Climate Action Plan, Maine Won’t Wait. As part of their work on the Blue Carbon Optimization Strategy, this team developed preliminary, order of magnitude estimates for Maine’s salt marsh, eelgrass, and farmed seaweed carbon sequestration potential, as well as strategies to improve these estimates through mapping and further research. This work was integrated into Strategy E of the Maine Won’t Wait plan by recommending that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) develop a “comprehensive, state-wide inventory of carbon stocks on land and in coastal waters (including blue carbon) by 2023 to provide baseline estimates for state carbon sequestration,” and allow “monitoring of sequestration over time to meet the state’s carbon neutrality goal.” In the wake of the collaboration to create the Blue Carbon Optimization Strategy, this group felt the need for increased and ongoing communication about Blue Carbon research advances and to provide opportunities for continued collaboration. The Maine Blue Carbon Network Research Network was developed to fill this need, however is independent of the Maine Climate Council.