An Assessment of the Annual Carbon Sequestration Potential of Urban and Peri-urban Water Bodies and Wetlands

Abstract

Urban and peri-urban water bodies and wetlands play a significant role in carbon sequestration and long term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Apart from performing various ecosystem services, they are natural carbon sinks that help in mitigating global warming and accumulation of green house gas emissions, primarily originating from cities. Yet their loss and degradation has not been aptly addressed so far. However, as the impacts of climate change are being increasingly realized, the conservation of water bodies and wetlands is drawing attention due to their ability to capture atmospheric carbon. This paper focuses on the annual carbon sequestration potential of four such water body and wetland based parks within and around the city of Kolkata, India and attempts to estimate their potential for carbon sequestration based on certain national and international standards suggested by researchers. The results are followed by suitable recommendations for implementation.