Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Sustainable Development: Blue Carbon Ecosystems in United Nations Designated Conservation Sites

Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass meadows, and intertidal marshes, in addition to coastal Sabkhas, serve a significant role in carbon sequestration while providing essential services to humans. However, the rapid human activities of coastal ecosystems affect climate, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems worldwide. The purpose of this review chapter is to assess how changes in coastal ecosystems can affect blue carbon storage. For instance, the deforestation of mangroves and the deterioration of coastal Sabkhas can lead to a decrease in blue carbon storage in the coastal areas of Cambodia and Saudi Arabia. Conversely, a study in Algeria has the potential to positively impact blue carbon storage by expanding the Sabkha ecosystem through the development of halophytic vegetation cover. This chapter highlights the importance of remote sensing applications in predicting blue carbon stocks in coastal ecosystems. Firstly, we utilized remote sensing to investigate changes in mangrove extents in Cambodia. Secondly, we reviewed remote sensing studies that investigated the land use/cover changes of coastal Sabkhas in Saudi Arabia and Algeria. These case studies are analyzed to highlight the instrumental value of up-to-date coastal ecosystem extent. Such information enables the monitoring of blue carbon storage at multiple scales, from local to global.