Table 2 Potential global carbon emissions from seagrass at risk of loss and associated social cost

From: Global seagrass carbon stock variability and emissions from seagrass loss

 

Soil Corg stocks (30 cm) at risk (Mg Corg ha−1)

Seagrass biomass (Mg Corg ha−1)

Global seagrass extent (ha)

Global potential emissions (Tg CO2)

Social cost (Billion 2020 US Dollar)

Lower

4.89

2.00

26,656,200

665

123

Central

5.25

2.01

43,328,100

1,154

213

Upper

5.61

2.02

60,000,000

1,699

314

  1. Central estimate is based on mean of soil and biomass carbon stocks at risk (upper and lower estimates are mean ± SE). For global seagrass extent, the upper estimate is from UNEP-WCMC43, the lower estimate is from McKenzie et al.42 (their lower confidence estimate), and the central estimate is their average. Potential emissions are expressed as Tg CO2 (mass of carbon multiplied by 3.67). The social cost of one ton of CO2 is $185 ($2020 US)44.
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