Distribution of coastal blue carbon habitats in Sweden and their exposure to anthropogenic pressure
Braun, S., Dahl, M., Asplund, M. E., Ebert, K., Björk, M., & Gullström, M. (2025).
Ambio
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02290-x
Summary:
In this publication we mapped blue carbon habitats across the Swedish coastline and assessed their exposure to anthropogenic pressure. We included both well-recognised (seagrass & salt marshes) as well as emergent blue carbon habitats (coastal forests & rooted freshwater veg.) . We found that blue carbon habitats cover 35% of the Swedish coast and that 22% of the mapped habitats were exposed to high pressures from land-based human activities due to their location.
In-situ measurements reveal alkalinity release from cold-temperate seagrass meadows
Scott-Askin, S., Santos, I. R., Albert, G., Asplund, M. E., Deyanova, D., Forsberg, S. C., Ricart, A. M., Gullström, M., Björk, M., & Reithmaier, G. M. S. (2025)
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 326, 109550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109550
Summary:
This study provides in-situ evidence that cold-temperate seagrass meadows release alkalinity, increasing local buffering capacity. This mechanism may help mitigate coastal acidification. The findings highlight an underappreciated ecosystem service of seagrass meadows beyond carbon sequestration.
Influence of landscape characteristics and submerged aquatic vegetation on sediment carbon and nitrogen storage in shallow brackish water habitats
Wikström, S. A., Gubri, B., Asplund, M. E., Dahl, M., Gullström, M., Hansen, J. P., Kumblad, L., Rydin, E., Garbaras, A., & Björk, M. (2025)
Scientific Reports, 15(1), 7808. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92217-z
Summary:
The study identifies landscape structure, vegetation cover, and hydrodynamics as major drivers of carbon and nitrogen storage in shallow brackish ecosystems. It underscores the need for landscape-scale conservation planning.
Evaluating seagrass lipid biomarkers as indicator for organic carbon provenance and storage capacity in Zostera marina (L.) sediments
Dahl, M., Asplund, M. E., Björk, M., Bergman, S., Braun, S., Forsberg, S. C., Hällberg, P., Löfgren, E., Smittenberg, R., Svensson, J. R., & Gullström, M. (2025).
Science of The Total Environment
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178324
Summary:
This study evaluates lipid biomarkers to trace organic carbon sources in Zostera marina sediments. It demonstrates that specific lipids can distinguish seagrass-derived carbon and indicate long-term preservation. Biomarkers are proposed as a promising tool for improving blue carbon monitoring and understanding carbon provenance.
2024
A 2,000‐Year Record of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Colonization Shows Substantial Gains in Blue Carbon Storage and Nutrient Retention
Dahl, M., Gullström, M., Bernabeu, I., Serrano, O., Leiva‐Dueñas, C., Linderholm, H. W., Asplund, M. E., Björk, M., Ou, T., Svensson, J. R., Andrén, E., Andrén, T., Bergman, S., Braun, S., Eklöf, A., Ežerinskis, Z., Garbaras, A., Hällberg, P., Löfgren, E., … Mateo, M. A. (2024).
Global Biogeochemical Cycles
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GB008039
Summary:
Sediment cores reveal a long-term expansion of eelgrass meadows over 2,000 years, linked to significant gains in carbon storage and nutrient retention. The findings illustrate the historical resilience and climate-regulating role of Zostera marina.
Nordic Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Status and Outlook
Krause-Jensen, D., Gundersen, H., Björk, M., Gullström, M., Dahl, M., Asplund, M. E., Boström, C., Holmer, M., Banta, G. T., Graversen, A. E. L., Pedersen, M. F., Bekkby, T., Frigstad, H., Skjellum, S. F., Thormar, J., Gyldenkærne, S., Howard, J., Pidgeon, E., Ragnarsdóttir, S. B., … Hancke, K. (2022).
Frontiers in Marine Science
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.847544
This synthesis reviews the state of Nordic blue carbon ecosystems, including seagrass, salt marshes, and macroalgae. It assesses carbon storage, climate mitigation potential, threats, and monitoring gaps, offering recommendations for future management and research.