According to the study, a significant portion of this carbon is concentrated in just five countries. Surf breaks in the United States lead in carbon density, followed by Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Panama.
Researchers from Conservation International and other institutions analyzed over 4,800 surf spots in 113 countries. They discovered that areas within 1 kilometer of these breaks store more than 88 Mt of irrecoverable carbon, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 77 million gas-powered vehicles. When extending the radius to 3 kilometers, carbon storage more than doubles, reaching 191.7 Mt.
"Irrecoverable carbon" refers to the carbon stored in ecosystems that are crucial to protecting against severe climate change. This concept was first introduced by Conservation International scientists in 2020, who have since mapped irrecoverable carbon hotspots globally. Their research found that areas rich in irrecoverable carbon often overlap with regions of high biodiversity.
This overlap is particularly evident around surf spots, where 17.2 Mt of the irrecoverable carbon is located within Key Biodiversity Areas-regions that are vital for preserving global species diversity. However, only 3% of this carbon is in areas that are formally protected, and less than one-third of all surf ecosystems globally enjoy any form of legal protection.
Expanding protection for these surf ecosystems could prevent significant amounts of carbon from being released into the atmosphere and help combat biodiversity loss-two of the most pressing environmental challenges today. Efforts like Surf Protected Areas, initiated by Conservation International and Save The Waves Coalition, aim to establish legal protections for surf breaks and their surrounding environments. These protections address various threats, including unsustainable tourism, coastal development, deforestation, coral mining, destructive fishing, and plastic pollution.
"This research demonstrates the enormous role that protection of surf breaks and surrounding coastal areas can have in our global fight to reverse biodiversity loss and combat climate change," said Scott Atkinson, senior director of surf conservation at Conservation International and an author of the study. "Our study shows where, exactly, we must now focus on legally protecting these areas. Surfers across the world are fantastic allies for efforts like this-they love the ocean, know that it is threatened, and are extremely motivated to protect it. They've been on board, so to speak, helping to lead the establishment of all the Surf Protected Areas we've partnered to create."
Conservation International has already established 30 Surf Protected Areas in collaboration with various partners in Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Peru. These areas, centered around surf breaks, also aim to safeguard larger ecosystems, including coastal forests, mangroves, beaches, seagrasses, coral reefs, and the waves themselves. In Indonesia, for example, 23 Surf Protected Areas form a network that covers over 60,000 hectares, with plans to expand further across the country.
Atkinson highlighted the success of community-based Surf Protected Areas on Morotai Island in Indonesia, a key case study in the research: "They are protecting precious marine and coastal ecosystems and strengthening community bonds and cultural heritage. Local people on Morotai have surfed on handmade wooden boards since at least World War II and have a strong surf culture. Additionally, local surf and conservation-related livelihoods are starting to flourish, with eco-friendly tourism and sustainable fishing practices becoming the norm. The community's involvement in conservation efforts has fostered a sense of pride and ownership, showcasing the power of grassroots initiatives in achieving lasting environmental and social benefits."
Jacob Bukoski, assistant professor at Oregon State University's College of Forestry and the lead author of the study, stated, "Our results suggest a significant opportunity for surf conservation to strengthen protection of climate-critical carbon stocks, including those found in blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses. Expanded conservation of surf ecosystems-both their marine and onshore components-could provide a range of benefits in addition to biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation."
Research Report:Co-occurrence of surf breaks and carbon-dense ecosystems suggests opportunities for coastal conservation
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