Biological Carbon Sequestration

Biological carbon sequestration is the natural ability of life and ecosystems to store carbon. Forests, peat marshes, and coastal wetlands are particularly good as storing carbon. Carbon can be stored in plant tissue, such as long-lived tree bark or in extensive root systems. Microbes break down plant and animal tissue through decomposition. Blue carbon is the term for atmospheric carbon captured by oceans and coastal wetland ecosystems. The USGS is a national leader in biological carbon sequestration research, particularly related to blue carbon.