Assessing the potential vulnerability of sedimentary carbon stores to bottom trawling disturbance within the UK EEZ

It is estimated that within the UK exclusive economic zone (UK EEZ), 524 Mt of organic carbon (OC) stored seabed sediment. However, stability and potential vulnerability OC in these sediments under anthropogenic stressors, such as bottom trawling activity, remains poorly quantified. To improve our understanding areas where sedimentary likely to be at greatest risk from events, we have developed a ranking (CVR) identify preventative protection may most beneficial help maintain current stocks while further research continues shed light on fate after (e.g., remineralization, transport, consumption). Predictive maps currently available fishing intensity, sediment distribution, lability been generated ArcGIS using fuzzy set theory. Our results show west coast Scotland represents one key potentially activity. This due mainly high reactivity rich combined with pressures repetitive activity inshore waters. shows hotspots are disturbance should prioritized for consideration future safeguarding (management) measures ensure emissions minimized provide greater this natural capital resource.