Role of freshwater wetlands in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation

Abstract

Freshwater wetlands are important for carbon cycling and climate change mitigation, as they serve as major carbon sinks worldwide. These ecosystems accumulate large amounts of organic carbon in their soils and plants through processes such as photosynthesis and sediment and peat accumulation. Although the area of freshwater wetlands is a comparatively small portion of Earth's surface, their capacity to capture carbon is significantly higher than that of the vast majority of other terrestrial ecosystems. Nevertheless, their carbon storage capacity is susceptible to hydrologic and land-use changes, as well as increased global temperatures, which may result in carbon release through decomposition and methane emissions. This paper will examine the ecological processes that govern carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands, what determines their carbon balance, and the role they can play in climate regulation. It focuses on the two fold nature of wetlands as both carbon sinks and potential sources of greenhouse gases, and on the necessity of effective management and conservation strategies. By protecting and restoring freshwater wetlands, their carbon sequestration potential can be increased, biodiversity supported, and climate resilience enhanced. Thus, wetland conservation should be considered in climate policy to achieve long-term carbon neutrality and reduce the harmful effects of climate change.