A potential natural solution to climate change challenges identified in the blue oceans

Dr. Michael Githaiga, a researcher from the Department of Biological Sciences in the University of Embu together with his collaborators in other institutions have recently demonstrated how blue oceans could provide a natural solution to climate change challenges. The collaborative study found that seagrasses capture large amount of carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the muddy sediments where it remains buried for millennial timescales. Other researchers involved in this cutting edge research include Dr. James Kairo of Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mr. Derrick Omollo and Dr. Virginia Virginia Wangondu of University of Nairobi and Dr. Dan Gorman of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre.

This work was funded by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), through the Marine Research Grant. The work has been published in the Diversity Journal of MDPI under the title “The Contribution of Subtidal Seagrass Meadows to the Total Carbon Stocks of Gazi Bay, Kenya” (https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/8/646/htm).

Among other recent publications from the same project are:

1. M. Riungu, J.M. Nyaga, M.N. Githaiga, J.G. Kairo (2022): Value Chain and Sustainability of Mangrove Wood Harvesting in Lamu, Kenya. Trees, Forests and People, 10032: https://doi.org/10.1016/j..
2. M. Njiru, M.N. Githaiga, J.M. Nyaga, K.S. Lang’at, J.G. Kairo (2022). Geomorphic and Climatic Drivers are Key Determinants of Structural Variability of Mangrove Forests along the Kenyan Coast. FORESTS 13 (870): https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/6/870.