The wetlands of Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, where India’s first study of carbon teal was conducted. Photo: Special Arrangements
India’s first study of ‘teal carbon’, conducted in Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district, has highlighted the importance of wetland conservation in addressing climate adaptation and resilience challenges. The pilot project seeks to develop holistic nature-based solutions to address climate change.
The teal carbon concept is a new addition to environmental science related to organic carbon in fresh wetlands. The study, which was carried out in conjunction with KNP’s global review, illustrates the potential of teal carbon as a tool to mitigate climate change if anthropogenic pollution in the wetlands can be controlled.
Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater habitats, including carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved and particulate organic matter. Although these wetlands play an important role in managing greenhouse gases, they are vulnerable to degradation from pollution, land use change, water extraction, and landscape modification.
Laxmi Kant Sharma, professor and head of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Central University of Rajasthan, who led the review, said The Hindu wetlands, when degraded, can release methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. “Given the fragility of this ecosystem, we need significant conservation and management efforts across the country,” said Dr Sharma.
The wetlands of Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, where India’s first study of carbon teal was conducted. Photo: Special Arrangements
‘Teal carbon’ is a color based terminology reflecting the classification of organic carbon based on its function and location rather than its physical properties. Unlike teal carbon, black and brown carbon is primarily produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter from sources such as wildfires, fossil fuel burning, and industrial activities. They contribute to global warming.
A comprehensive review of the KNP was conducted by researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan, led by Dr. Sharma, in collaboration with Amanda Nahlik from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Siobhan Fennessy from Kenyon College, Ohio, USA. four major teal carbon ecosystems to assess the status and potential role of teal carbon in mitigating climate change.
The preliminary results of the research carried out in KNP revealed a high level of methane emissions, which should be reduced by using a special type of biochar, which is a form of charcoal. Dr Sharma said developing this special biochar – a light black residue made up of carbon and ash – and research would require sophisticated instruments, such as the LI-COR device for real-time soil-based greenhouse gas measurements.
Ensuring the availability of water and selecting suitable vegetation will ensure effective conservation of wetlands in the national park, which will maintain the teal carbon pool. Dr. Sharma said the teal carbon ecosystem will also contribute to the increase in groundwater levels, flood mitigation and heat island reduction, supporting sustainable urban adaptation.
At the global level, teal carbon storage in the ecosystem is estimated at 500.21 petagrams of carbon (PgC), which is the unit for measuring carbon. Peatlands, freshwater marshes, and natural freshwater marshes account for significant amounts of storage.
Dr. Sharma presented his findings at the World Conference of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) in Stockholm, Sweden. While he emphasized conservation and restoration strategies to improve the efficiency of natural carbon storage and reduce emissions from teal carbon ecosystems, scientists from other countries exchanged ideas on climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. (EOM)
Published – 09 September 2024 02:51 IST
