The Blue Carbon Condition Index (B-CABONI) Project conducted its Stakeholder Workshop at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on December 4, 2024. Hosted by USP’s Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD), the overarching goal of B-CABONI project is to establish a pilot initiative to quantify the condition and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon pool.
B-CABONI aims to develop a robust monitoring tool capable of assessing the condition of a range of blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass meadows) that is tailored to Fiji’s needs and requirements.
Notable knowledge gaps exist on the true carbon pool such as mangrove sediment depth and seagrass extent, which are yet to be fully quantified. Building on existing research, B-CABONI will provide additional mapping and carbon quantification capabilities that explore blue carbon reserves holistically rather than in isolation.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from Australia, Ireland, England and Fiji with the aim of identifying project synergies and research gaps in the area of blue carbon assessment research in Fiji.
USP B-CABONI Project Lead, Dr Hilda Waqa-Sakiti in her welcome remarks stated that the workshop sought to bring together stakeholders in the area of Blue Carbon Assessments in Fiji and the region.
It also provided the opportunity for participants to know what each agency is doing, methodologies and tools used, identifying project synergies, building onto existing work and identifying research gaps for future research collaborations in this specialised area.
The B-CABONI project teams from USP and University College Cork (UCC, Ireland), including USP research students, are currently conducting field training for blue carbon assessments and mapping on Viti Levu as part of the project deliverables.
Through the B-CABONI Project, cutting-edge technology is being employed with ecological expertise to shed light on the critical role these ecosystems play in combating climate change.
Researchers from USP and UCC are using state-of-the-art laser scanning to measure above-ground biomass in mangrove forests, while drones equipped with multispectral sensors capture detailed imagery from above. Beneath the surface, peat cores from mangrove soils and sediment cores from seagrass meadows are being carefully extracted to uncover the carbon storage secrets locked within these vital ecosystems.
A side-scan sonar adds another dimension to the study, allowing for the precise assessment of biomass both above and below the seabed in seagrass meadows. These diverse datasets will feed into the creation of a comprehensive condition index tool, offering a novel method to evaluate the condition and carbon-storage potential of blue carbon ecosystems in Fiji.
UCC B-CABONI Project Lead, Dr Michelle McKeown highlighted the importance of mangroves and seagrass meadows not only as biodiversity hotspots but also as carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.
She added that by measuring their biomass and analysing their capacity to store carbon, the B-CABONI project aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and conservationists striving to protect Fiji’s coastal heritage.
This work could serve as a model for blue carbon conservation strategies across the Pacific and beyond.
The B-CABONI project is an 18-month endeavour funded by the Irish Aid under the One Shared Ocean Programme, with USP and UCC being the partner institutions.
