| Summary/Abstract |
The Indian Ocean is home to some of the most extensive coastal blue carbon ecosystems on the planet. Together, the nations within and surrounding this ocean basin contain approximately 50% (an estimated 76,275 km2) of the world’s mangrove forests and a large, but unknown, proportion of its seagrass meadows. The nations of the Indian Ocean have an opportunity to be world leaders in restoration and protection of these ecosystems, which can help mitigate climate change, enhance livelihoods and protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage. Already, Indian Ocean nations are showing leadership by acknowledging blue carbon ecosystems in their Nationally Determined Contributions, and by championing efforts to establish some of the largest blue carbon restoration projects globally. However, more can be done. We outline a research agenda that will pave the way for effective evidence-based policy in the Indian Ocean, by reducing uncertainty and providing the tools and knowledge needed.
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