Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions Complicate the Climate Benefits of Teal and Blue Carbon Wetlands

Blue (coastal wetlands) and teal (inland wetlands) carbon ecosystems are long-term carbon sinks and are regarded as essential natural climate solutions. Yet, the same biogeochemical conditions favoring high carbon storage also promote the production of two potent greenhouse gases (GHGs)—methane and nitrous oxide—which can reduce the climate change mitigation potential of wetlands. Complex processes regulate the production and consumption of the two GHGs, complicating our understanding of wetlands’ net warming or cooling effects on the climate. This primer offers an overview of the current knowledge of wetland GHG dynamics and discusses management actions available to stakeholders to maximize blue and teal carbon potential. Improving our monitoring of these ecosystems will yield more realistic estimates and avoid misrepresenting their true climate change mitigation potential. This is vital for establishing sustainable financial mechanisms (through carbon credits) to manage these ecosystems at scale.