Southeast Asia's Wetlands: Vital Carbon Sinks Revealed in New Study

Southeast Asia's Peatlands and Mangroves Play Critical Role in Reducing Carbon Emissions, Study Finds

A new global study by researchers at National University of Singapore, supported by James Cook University in Australia and Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), has shown the key importance of Southeast Asia's mangroves and peatlands in constraining climate change. The ecosystems, covering just 5% of the region's surface, have been shown to sequester a high concentration of carbon, with up to 90% being locked away in their soils.

Mangroves and peatlands are massive carbon reservoirs, sequestering vast stores of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The study, however, points to a corollary gigantic issue: such ecosystems release gargantuan levels of carbon every time they are subject to human activities such as agriculture or urbanization. Such carbon release stalls regional and global climate goals, particularly for the Southeast Asian countries.

The research points out the aspect that conservation and preservation of a biome like this can reduce the CO2 emissions by up to 770 megatonnes per year—the equivalent of Malaysia's 2023 emissions. The environmental impact of the same can be gigantic as it will be a long way in stopping climate change in the region.

The study recommends Southeast Asian governments to give priority to peatlands and mangroves in climate policy, especially under the Paris Agreement. By incorporating these ecosystems in national climate policy, nations would be able to have more stringent greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, thereby contributing more to regional and global climate change mitigation.

Peatlands, peat-forming wetlands, and mangroves, tropical and subtropical coastal forests, are not only carbon sinks but also support local communities and biodiversity. The ecosystems are also providers of important services, such as coast protection from erosion and habitat for numerous species. Their soils are also of high market value for carbon, and businesses can sell carbon credits as compensation for their carbon emissions.

The study underlines the importance of conserving mangroves and peatlands so they can keep on providing these important ecosystem services. As the world turns to nature-based solutions in reducing emissions and responding to climate change, the ecosystems of Southeast Asia may be in the spotlight. This research carries extremely serious ramifications for Southeast Asian future environmental policy. It would mean that governments need to prioritize on their list of priorities an investment package with the aim of rehabilitating and conserving mangroves and peat swamps if they are to stand any chance of meeting their climate protection and biodiversity conservation targets.