1. The K’omoks and Squamish Estuaries: A blue carbon pilot project Christine Hodgson North Island CollegeChristine Hodgson North Island College & Comox Valley Project WatershedComox Valley Project Watershed

2. K’omoks Estuary, British Columbia, Canada

3. Goals for NAPECA Grant Develop a simple protocol for estimating stored carbon in eelgrass and salt marsh habitatsDevelop a simple protocol for estimating stored carbon in eelgrass and salt marsh habitats Quantify the amount of carbon stored in these habitats as a measure per square area.Quantify the amount of carbon stored in these habitats as a measure per square area. Develop a protocol suitable for NGO’s in other localities to quantify existing stored carbon and opportunities for increasing carbon storage through eelgrass and salt marsh restoration.Develop a protocol suitable for NGO’s in other localities to quantify existing stored carbon and opportunities for increasing carbon storage through eelgrass and salt marsh restoration.

4. Study Sites

5. Collect Sediment Cores Collect Sediment Cores Is there a difference in amount of carbon stored in sediments below a barren or vegetated area?Is there a difference in amount of carbon stored in sediments below a barren or vegetated area? Coring with IOS team, May 21, 2014Coring with IOS team, May 21, 2014

6. Collect Sediment Cores

8. Sediment Analysis Below Ground C sequestrationBelow Ground C sequestration Total Carbon – TOC, TIC, sediment size, organic matterTotal Carbon – TOC, TIC, sediment size, organic matter Burial rate – use 210 PbBurial rate – use 210 Pb Accumulation of C due to vegetation and associated fauna – use stable isotopes 13 C and 15 NAccumulation of C due to vegetation and associated fauna – use stable isotopes 13 C and 15 N Extrapolate C deposition based on eelgrass cover densityExtrapolate C deposition based on eelgrass cover density

9. Sediment Analysis Shallow Cores (about 50 cm)Shallow Cores (about 50 cm) Total of 32 additional cores collectedTotal of 32 additional cores collected Replicate samples – Carbon below SMLReplicate samples – Carbon below SML May be used for stable isotope analysisMay be used for stable isotope analysis

10. Habitat Restoration

11. - 95% survival rate - Increase in number of shoots per group Habitat Restoration

12. Projectwatershed.ca Projectwatershed@gmail.com