Sabkha Ecosystems as Blue Carbon Reserves

The term Sabkha refers to coastal and inland salt flats found in arid or semi-arid regions, where the evaporation of saline water leaves the surfaces covered in salt. Significant levels of organic carbon are found in the sediments of Sabkhat. This carbon is reportedly sequestered in a variety of ways, including through the photosynthetic carbon gain by Sabkha halophyte vegetation, including micro-algae, accumulation of organic matter through nearby effluents, formation of carbonate minerals, and activity of mat-forming blue-green algae and microorganisms, among others. Therefore, sabkhat, particularly those in coastal settings, may be thought of as a significant blue carbon accumulator. Along with numerous additional economic advantages (such as salt production and geo-tourism), sabkhat also provide ecological services including nitrogen cycling and shoreline protection. However, sabkhat are threatened by human activities, such as urbanization, industrialization, land reclamation, groundwater extraction, and pollution, thereby warranting serious protection and conservation efforts. This article summarizes the research, biodiversity, ecological importance and conservation status of sabkhat with respect to carbon sequestration and climate change.