Once dismissed as worthless, these overlooked landscapes may hold the key to saving our planet’s future.
For decades, we’ve dismissed swamps as mosquito-infested wastelands and kelp forests as underwater weeds that get in the way of swimmers. These overlooked ecosystems seemed useless to most people – just soggy ground that needed draining or underwater tangles that boats had to navigate around. Scientists studying climate change are now discovering that these ignored places might hold the key to saving our planet from catastrophic warming.
The numbers are mind-blowing and could change everything about how we fight climate change. Peatlands store about one-third of all soil carbon despite covering only 3% of global land area. Kelp forests and seaweed beds could potentially capture 36 million metric tons of carbon annually if properly managed and restored worldwide.
1. Peatlands store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined
Peatlands store about one-third of all soil carbon despite covering only 3% of global land area, making them incredibly efficient carbon storage systems. These waterlogged landscapes have been quietly accumulating carbon for thousands of years, creating massive underground reservoirs that dwarf what forests can hold. Most people see them as useless swampland, but they’re actually carbon storage powerhouses.
When peatlands get drained or disturbed, they release decades of stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change instead of fighting it. In their natural, wet state, peatlands provide indispensable Nature-based Solutions for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. Protecting existing peatlands might be one of the cheapest and most effective ways to prevent massive carbon emissions.
2. Kelp forests could capture carbon equivalent to 1.6 billion trees
Protection, restoration and improved management of kelp and seaweed forests globally could provide mitigation benefits equivalent to the CO2 capturing capacity of 1.1-1.6 billion trees. These underwater forests grow incredibly fast and absorb carbon dioxide directly from seawater through photosynthesis. Unlike terrestrial forests that can burn and release their stored carbon, kelp forests are fire-proof and constantly cycling carbon through ocean systems.
Kelp grows up to two feet per day in optimal conditions, making it one of the fastest carbon-capturing organisms on Earth. When kelp dies and sinks to the ocean floor, much of that carbon gets buried in deep-sea sediments where it can stay locked away for centuries. This natural carbon sequestration system has been operating for millions of years, but we’re only now recognizing its potential for fighting climate change.
3. Wetlands prevent billions in flood damage but we keep destroying them
Wetlands act like giant sponges that absorb storm surge and flood waters, protecting inland communities from devastating damage. A single acre of wetland can hold up to 1.5 million gallons of water, providing natural flood control that would cost billions to replicate with human-made infrastructure. Despite their protective value, we’ve destroyed over half of America’s wetlands in the past century.
Hurricane Katrina’s devastation was made much worse because Louisiana had lost thousands of acres of protective wetlands that could have absorbed storm surge. Healthy wetlands help filter drinking water and lessen flood risks by acting like a sponge. Every wetland we destroy makes coastal communities more vulnerable to the next big storm, while every wetland we restore provides immediate protection and long-term climate benefits.
4. Mangrove forests protect 18 million people from storm surge
Mangrove forests along tropical coastlines provide natural barriers against hurricanes and tsunamis, protecting an estimated 18 million people worldwide from storm surge and coastal flooding. These salt-tolerant trees grow in tidal zones that most plants can’t survive, creating dense root systems that break up wave energy and stabilize shorelines.
Beyond their protective benefits, mangroves are incredibly efficient carbon storage systems that capture carbon in both their biomass and in the sediments beneath their roots. Countries with extensive mangrove forests are discovering that protecting these ecosystems is far cheaper than building seawalls and other artificial coastal defenses. Mangrove restoration projects can provide immediate storm protection while also capturing significant amounts of atmospheric carbon.
5. Restored peatlands could save more carbon than planting new forests
Restoring degraded peatlands can return them to a state of net carbon sequestration and enhance their ecosystem resilience, highlighting the importance of peatland protection and restoration in climate mitigation. When drained peatlands are rewetted, they stop releasing stored carbon and begin absorbing it again, often providing faster climate benefits than planting new trees.
Rewetting degraded peatlands is a premium nature-based solution for climate mitigation and adaptation and reversing biodiversity loss. The restoration process is relatively simple – plug the drainage ditches, let water levels rise naturally, and these ecosystems begin functioning as carbon sinks again. This makes peatland restoration one of the most cost-effective climate solutions available, delivering multiple benefits for relatively little investment.
6. Seagrass meadows store carbon 40 times faster than rainforests
Seagrass meadows cover less than 0.2% of ocean area but store about 10% of all carbon buried in marine sediments. These underwater grasslands capture carbon through photosynthesis and store it in their roots and in the sediment beneath them. The carbon storage rate per area is dramatically higher than what terrestrial forests can achieve.
Unlike forests that can burn and release their stored carbon, seagrass meadows keep carbon locked in underwater sediments for hundreds or thousands of years. When seagrass beds are destroyed by development or pollution, they release massive amounts of stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Protecting existing seagrass and restoring damaged areas could provide significant climate benefits while also supporting marine fisheries and coastal protection.
7. Swamps and marshes clean pollution out of water naturally
Wetland ecosystems act as natural water treatment plants, filtering pollutants, excess nutrients, and sediments from water before it reaches larger water bodies. The plants and microorganisms in wetlands break down harmful substances and remove toxins that would otherwise contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater. This natural filtration service would cost billions to replicate with human-made treatment facilities.
Constructed wetlands are now being used to treat wastewater and agricultural runoff, proving that these ecosystems can solve multiple environmental problems simultaneously. While cleaning water, wetlands also capture carbon, support wildlife, and provide flood control. It’s like getting four environmental solutions for the price of one, which makes the historical destruction of wetlands look incredibly short-sighted.
8. Arctic tundra holds a climate bomb that could change everything
Arctic tundra and permafrost contain massive amounts of stored carbon that could be released if these regions continue warming. The carbon locked in permafrost represents about twice as much as what’s currently in the atmosphere, making it a potential climate bomb if it gets released rapidly. Protecting Arctic ecosystems isn’t just about polar bears – it’s about preventing catastrophic carbon releases.
When permafrost melts, it releases methane and carbon dioxide that have been frozen for thousands of years. This creates a feedback loop where warming causes more permafrost to melt, which releases more greenhouse gases, which causes more warming. Keeping Arctic regions frozen is crucial for preventing runaway climate change, making these remote ecosystems critically important for global climate stability.
9. Coastal salt marshes prevent more storm damage than seawalls
Salt marshes along coastlines provide superior storm protection compared to artificial barriers like seawalls and breakwaters. These coastal ecosystems absorb wave energy, reduce storm surge heights, and provide flexible protection that adapts to changing conditions. Unlike rigid seawalls that eventually fail, salt marshes get stronger over time as they accumulate sediment and expand.
A single acre of salt marsh can reduce wave heights by up to 70% during storms, protecting inland communities from flooding and erosion. Salt marshes also capture significant amounts of carbon in their soils and support coastal fisheries that many communities depend on. The combination of storm protection, carbon storage, and economic benefits makes salt marsh conservation a no-brainer for coastal adaptation strategies.
10. Prairie grasslands could capture massive amounts of carbon underground
North American prairies were once vast carbon storage systems with root networks extending deep underground. These grasslands stored most of their carbon in soil rather than above-ground biomass, making them incredibly stable carbon sinks that weren’t vulnerable to fires or droughts. We’ve converted most original prairie to agriculture, but restored grasslands could recapture huge amounts of atmospheric carbon.
Prairie plants develop extensive root systems that can extend 15 feet deep, depositing carbon throughout the soil profile. When grasslands are restored, they begin building soil carbon again, and this process can continue for decades. Large-scale prairie restoration could provide significant climate benefits while also supporting wildlife, preventing erosion, and reducing the need for agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
11. Underwater kelp forests are worth $500 billion annually to the global economy
Marine kelp forests provide services with a potential value of $111,000 per hectare per year and a global yearly value of $500 billion. These underwater ecosystems support commercial fisheries, protect coastlines from erosion, filter water, and provide habitat for countless marine species. Despite their enormous economic value, kelp forests have been largely ignored in environmental policy and climate planning.
Kelp forests are disappearing at alarming rates due to warming oceans, pollution, and overharvesting, but restoration efforts are proving that these ecosystems can recover quickly when given the chance. Investing in kelp forest protection and restoration could provide immediate economic returns while also delivering significant climate benefits. The $500 billion annual value makes kelp forests some of the most valuable real estate on the planet.