Jamaica Bay: Carbon Sequestration and Valuation Karina Alventosa, Sarvar Akobirova, Argie Miller, Dorothy Peteet On-Site Coring Process: Methods: Acknowledgements: Dr. Frank Scalzo Dr. Dorothy Peteet Project Focus: A regional study of recreational activities, flood protection, carbon Sequestration in Jamaica Bay’s four marshes. Locations: Focus wetlands are circled in red Abstract: Fig. 2a: Identifying the CoreFig. 2b: Extracting the CoreFig. 2c: Viewing the Core and ready for D-tube storage Yellow Bar Joco Four Sparrow LOI = Dry Weight-Burned Weight Dry Weight Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems on the planet. In the coming decades, wetland protection must become a priority before all wetland areas are destroyed. In a world where cost and economic profit dominate decisions, it is imperative to assign monetary worth and value to environmental systems. This economic assessment of the ecosystems can be then more easily be compared to other regions to ensure that the public is aware of its many values at the local, regional, and global scale. Jamaica Bay provides a myriad of ecosystem services and one of particular interest is the measurement of carbon storage. The purpose of the project is to measure and compare the amount of carbon sequestered in four marshes of Jamaica Bay: Big Egg, Four Sparrow, Yellow Bar, and Joco. These values can be converted to monetary estimations and in conjunction with the other economic models, a total value can be developed for the park. Big Egg  Method that indicates the amount of organic matter (weight lost after burning) and inorganic matter (remaining mass after burning) in a sample.  A sample of a core is weighed and dried at 100ºC, then burned at 375ºC and weighed again. Weights are recorded and used for mathematical analysis. The Dachnowski Russian corer This type of corer takes semi-cylindrical cores that can be easily stored and processed Loss On Ignition (LOI) Conclusions / Future Research: Fig. 4: LOI samples in crucibles after burning Fig. 3: After extraction, the core is taken to solid ground for storage Carbon = LOI X Bulk Density 2 Materials: Equations Where bulk density refers to the mass of the sample Fig. 5: Microscopic Analysis of Core Valuation: References: Results: Valuation is an important tool that can be used to place a ‘value’ on a specific ecosystem or area.  Individual values are specific to certain ecosystem services that are particular to certain landscapes and environments.  Ecosystem goods and services are the benefits we receive from nature. They are important to human health and sustenance (EPA). Some examples of services provided by Jamaica Bay are: Migratory bird habitat Flood Protection Recreation Fish and Wildlife Habitat Carbon Storage There are several economic models that are applicable to ecosystem services such as: Market Price Valuation, Travel Cost Method, Benefit Transfer Method and Damage Avoided/Replacement Cost Method. Further analysis and monetary values will be developed when proper data is acquired in the future. Mitch, William J., and Gosselink, James G, Wetlands, 4 th ed, John Wiley 2007 Tietenberg, Tom and Lewis, Lynne, Environmental & Natural Resource Economics, 8 th ed.,Pearson, Addison Valley, In order to calculate the amount of carbon stored throughout Jamaica Bay marshes through time, we need to date the sediment cores and to calculate the amount of carbon stored (g C/cm 2 /yr) and then the cumulative carbon stored. We can then extrapolate throughout Jamaica Bay based upon peat core depths. Three of the cores in the bay reveal increases in LOI toward the surface of the cores, which is actually an increase in inorganic content in recent centuries as well as a slight increase in organic content. Four Sparrow is the exception, but it has been recently modified in the upper portion as sand was added for restoration. We will also calculate the amount of carbon that has been lost from the Bay by examining old maps. We are planning to provide a complete valuation of Jamaica Bay using one of the methods proposed in conjunction with the National Park staff. This will be useful for future Park interests when it is threatened in terms of ecosystem losses..