Blue Carbon Soil Stock Development and Estimates Within Northern Florida Wetlands

Blue carbon habitats, such as mangroves and salt marshes, have been recognized burial hotspots; however, methods on measuring blue stocks varied thus leave uncertainty in global stock estimates. This study analyzes northern Florida wetlands along the Atlantic Gulf coasts. Carbon measurements within 1–3m length vibracores yield total core of 9.9–21.5 kgC·m −2 7.7–10.9 for coast cores, respectively. Following recent IPCC guidelines, estimates top meter are 7.0 –8.0 6.1 –8.6 Changes stable isotopic (δ 13 C, C/N) lignin biomarker (C/V) indices suggest both coastlines experienced marsh mangrove transgressions into non-blue habitats during mid- to late-Holocene following relative sea-level rise. These impact storage cores presence carbon-poor soils, characteristic result lower 1m north wetlands, a deeper extent carbon-rich drive higher wetlands. Future research should assess down bedrock when possible, land-cover and/or climate change can different depths across localities. Ignoring soil below may underestimate potential emissions based these changes.