TEAL CARBON

Source: Hindu

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

• India’s first study on ‘teal carbon’ was undertaken at Keoladeo National Park.
• It has highlighted the significance of wetland conservation to address the challenges of climate adaptation and resilience.

Details

Read about Keoladeo National Park: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/bharatpur-sanctuary#:~:text=Formerly%20known%20as%20the%20Bharatpur,for%20Maharajas%20and%20the%20British.

Read about Wetlands: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/wetlands#:~:text=They%20happen%20where%20the%20water,to%20the%20definition%20of%20wetlands.

Teal Carbon Study

• The study revealed that degraded wetlands could release methane and carbon dioxide, making conservation essential.
• Biochar, a form of charcoal, was suggested as a means to reduce methane emissions from wetlands.

BIOCHAR ●Biochar is black carbon produced from biomass sources (wood chips, plant residues, manure or other agricultural waste products) for the purpose of transforming the biomass carbon into a more stable form (carbon sequestration). ●Biochar is defined by the International Biochar Initiative as the "solid material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment". History ●Biochar is said to have been used as a soil supplement thousands of years ago in the Amazon basin, where regions of fertile soil called "Terra Preta'" (dark earth) were created by indigenous people. ●Inhabitants of the region produced biochar by practicing 'slash and char' management on vegetation to improve soil fertility and crop yields. Benefits ●It acts as a carbon sink, capturing atmospheric CO2 in a stable form. ●Biochar enhances soil fertility, improves water retention and nutrient uptake. ●Its ability to retain nutrients within the soil minimizes nutrient leaching. ● It fosters soil conditions that inhibit methane-producing organisms.

About Teal Carbon

• Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, including carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved/particulate organic matter.
• These wetlands are crucial for regulating greenhouse gasesbut are susceptible to pollution, land-use changes, and water extraction.

Global Importance

• At a global scale, the storage of teal carbon in ecosystems is estimated at 21 petagrams of carbon (PgC).
• Wetlands like peatlands, freshwater swamps, and marshes hold significant carbon storage potential.

Read about Peatlands: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/peatlands

Significance

• Ensuring water availability and planting suitable vegetation in wetlands are crucial for maintaining the teal carbon pools.
• Teal carbon ecosystems not only help mitigate climate change but also increase groundwater levels, mitigate floods, and reduce the effects of heat islands.

Sources:Hindu 

PRACTICE QUESTION  Q: Teal carbon ecosystems not only help mitigate climate change but also contribute to sustainable urban environments. Analyse. (150 Words)