Nature-based carbon solutions: Carbon sequestration through land conservancies
Partners: Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT)
Preserving natural heritage lands, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, plays a vital role in addressing climate change through carbon sequestration—a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 'Nature-based carbon solutions: Carbon sequestration through land conservancies' is a collaborative research partnership between Western University and the Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT), a registered charity safeguarding over 2000 acres of critical habitat in southwestern Ontario's Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and Perth counties. By safeguarding and restoring these lands, TTLT prevents their conversion into carbon-poor landscapes, assuming a pivotal role in the region's carbon storage. In partnership with TTLT, Western's researchers and graduate students will aim to (1) quantify the carbon stored within TTLT's existing properties through a comprehensive carbon inventory, (2) evaluate the carbon sequestration associated with restoration efforts by measuring carbon capture in soils from restored natural habitats, and (3) develop robust, evidence-based GIS toolkits to assist TTLT and other land trusts in estimating carbon sequestration potential, facilitating informed decisions regarding land acquisition and habitat restoration. This joint research effort is poised to significantly bolster TTLT's conservation initiatives, contributing to a stable climate and healthier ecosystems.
Researcher Biography
Director, Graduate Environment and Sustainability Programs
Paul Mensink teaches environmental science at both the undergraduate and graduate level. His pedagogical research focusses on the use of educational technology to improve student engagement, and his current work explores the benefits of immersive technologies for engagement with STEM subjects.
Research Interests / Specializations: Marine ecology, Educational technology
