Teal Carbon And Freshwater Wetland Carbon Dynamics: A Synthesis of Stocks, Sequestration, Emissions, And Methodological Challenges

Freshwater wetlands are among the most carbon-dense yet threatened ecosystems on Earth. This seminar paper synthesises five peer-reviewed studies on teal carbon quantification, methane emissions from constructed waterbodies, vegetation-mediated carbon sequestration, wetland conversion to agriculture, and methodological challenges in peatland carbon estimation. Peatlands alone store 387–442 Pg C globally — exceeding blue and green carbon systems per unit area. However, methane emissions, land-use conversion, drainage, and biases in carbon accounting substantially reduce their net climate benefit. The paper concludes with recommendations for conservation, restoration, and improved accounting to support nature-based climate solutions.