Public Seminar: Optimising Carbon Storage Potential through Design of Urban Freshwater Wetlands in Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ - Shachi Bahl (Ph.D.)

Seminar Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtV-Gx9qtBQ Growing evidence shows that carbon sequestration in world’s natural ecosystems is necessary to absorb carbon emissions associated with global climate change. Wetlands regulate biogeochemical cycles as they are carbon sinks as well as sources of methane. Long-term carbon storage occurs in ecosystems due to specific soil-water conditions and high biomass accumulation. However, the role of wetland carbon fluxes of plant – soil communities is poorly estimated, limiting the design of wetlands for increasing carbon sequestration. This project studies urban freshwater inland wetlands and their ability to store atmospheric carbon for long durations of time. The relations between plant diversity and carbon sequestration are investigated in two wetlands in Christchurch, to provide data for the spatial design of plant communities that optimise carbon storage in these ecosystems. This research will have implications for new and restored freshwater wetlands in Christchurch that could improve carbon storage in wetland soils and in their above and below ground biomass.