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    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4945-7231
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Sian Edwards

Overview of thesis

My research project is “The carbon sequestration capacity of tidal marsh ecosystems in the south west coast of Western Australia.

Carbon capture and sequestration by Coastal Vegetated Ecosystems (CVE)s has become an innovative pathway to deal with excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change mitigation. January 2022 the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) created a blue carbon method which involves the reintroduction of tidal flow to a CVE through the modification or removal tidal restricting barriers and includes a blue carbon accounting model ‘BlueCAM’ to help land owners estimate the potential carbon abatement that a project might achieve. Data on Australia’s tidal marsh CAR and soil Organic Carbon Stocks (Corg stocks), and much of that which underlies the default values in BlueCAM is predominately sourced from the east coast.

Consequently, a knowledge gap still remains regarding the potential of tidal marsh ecosystems in the south-west coast of Western Australia to contribute to blue carbon projects, including the ERF method. Case studies of blue carbon projects in Western Australian tidal marshes are needed to fill key information gaps, namely: quantifying the soil Corg stocks and CAR of tidal marsh in the south-west region of Western Australia; understanding the drivers of variability in the soil Corg stocks and CAR in the region; and demonstrating the potential for restoration/creation of tidal marsh to provide carbon abatement opportunities in the ERF.

My study aims to address these information gaps, focusing on select south-western Australian tidal marshes and undertaking a sensitivity analysis of the BlueCAM carbon abatement model using site specific carbon dating.

Qualifications

  • BSc in Marine and Freshwater Biology Edith Cowan University (ECU) - 2018.
  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • First Aid

Supervisors

Professor Paul Lavery (ECU)
Dr Dave Blake (ECU)
Dr Anna Lafratta (ECU)

Contact

Sian Edwards
Masters student
School of Science
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