Protecting surfing locations is an excellent way to tackle climate change, boost tourism, and benefit nearby ecosystems, research indicates.
“There is a growing movement to conserve coastal areas that have surf breaks,” said Jacob Bukoski from Oregon State University, a co-author of the study. “Previous studies found that surf breaks are usually rich in biodiversity, but no one had examined the carbon stored in these ecosystems, which can contribute to climate change if disturbed.”
In a study published in Conservation Science & Practice, Bukoski and his team discovered more than 88 million tonnes of “irrecoverable” carbon in the land ecosystems surrounding 3,602 surf breaks worldwide.
Surf breaks are coastal areas with a unique combination of features that create desirable waves for surfers, often located near important conservation areas like coral reefs and mangrove forests.
Irrecoverable carbon refers to carbon stored in natural environments that cannot be replaced within 30 years if lost. Capturing carbon is a crucial strategy in combating climate change.
Bukoski, who is part of the OSU College of Forestry, emphasizes that this study did not assess the substantial but harder to measure carbon stocks in the marine ecosystems of surf break areas.
The researchers examined 28,500 square kilometers of watersheds flowing into surf regions. Their findings revealed over 17 million tonnes of irrecoverable carbon in surf breaks located in areas rich in biodiversity that do not have formal protections. Only 3% of surf breaks are both protected and classified as key biodiversity areas.
The density of irrecoverable carbon in surf ecosystems is highest in tropical regions, decreasing as you move away from the equator, except for coastal forests in the Pacific Northwest.
“Temperate broadleaf, mixed, and conifer forests account for nearly a quarter of the carbon we found,” Bukoski mentioned, collaborating with experts from Conservation International, Save the Waves Coalition, California State University, Channel Islands, and Arizona State University.
Oregon ranks second in the U.S. for irrecoverable surf break carbon, holding nearly 3.5 million tonnes. California tops the list with just under 7 million tonnes, followed by North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Washington, Virginia, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Massachusetts.
Surf breaks are increasingly viewed as social and environmental assets that can provide long-term benefits for local communities. The authors highlight the potential connection between the global surf tourism industry, valued at around $65 billion, and the carbon offset market, where credits trade for approximately $10 per tonne of carbon dioxide.
“Despite their significant value, surf breaks and their ecosystems face numerous threats, including coastal development, habitat destruction, and climate change effects like rising sea levels,” Bukoski said. “When carbon-rich ecosystems are altered for other uses, they release substantial amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. Expanded protection of surf ecosystems—both marine and terrestrial—could offer multiple advantages, including biodiversity preservation and climate change mitigation.”
Coastal estuaries support nutrient cycling, manage sedimentation, and serve as nurseries for young fish. Healthy land ecosystems help reduce erosion, leading to better habitats and improved water quality, which decreases health risks for surfers.
“Coral reefs help shape surf breaks, provide fishing areas, create recreational activities like diving, and shield shorelines,” Bukoski stated. “Moreover, ecosystems linked to surf breaks are culturally and spiritually significant for communities globally.”
He notes that irrecoverable carbon is just a small part of the total carbon found in surf ecosystems. Given resource limitations, this type of carbon should be prioritized for protection, “but losing any carbon due to ecosystem changes will impact the climate.”
“Our findings highlight a great chance for surf conservation to enhance the protection of critical carbon stocks for the climate,” Bukoski concluded. “In the end, we should be riding waves, not losing ecosystem carbon.”
