A new study reveals a critical gap in coastal conservation. While the total area of salt marshes is increasing globally, the world is still seeing a net loss of soil organic carbon because new marshes cannot replace the massive carbon stores found in mature, older wetlands. Data shows that the U.S. Gulf Coast has been a primary site for these losses due to industrial damage and severe storms. In contrast, China has seen carbon gains through a structured approach to natural recovery and human activity retreatment.
