Blue carbon development and ecosystem services in oligotrophic environments: the case for a shallow coastal installation on the shelf off Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Abstract. This study assessed the unplanned ecosystem services provided by a submarine monitoring station over 18 months, including an environmental characterisation of a shallow coastal shelf area off SW Tenerife (Canary Islands), a calculation of the benthic biomass developed (the generated blue carbon) and the identification of the species pool related to the installation, representing the associated biodiversity. The oligotrophic coastal waters at the studied site permitted a benthic biomass generation between 1.02 g m-2 and 2.88 g m-2, and a carbon sequestration between 0.24 g m-2 and 0.40 g m-2. Furthermore, 46 species belonging to 11 phyla were identified during 4 periodical monitoring dives. The ecosystem services provided by the monitoring station included primary production, carbon sequestration, fish nursery and shelter (regulating ecosystem service). The installation also benefited the biodiversity maintenance (supporting ecosystem service). The environmental conditions (physical, chemical and biological) at the studied site were not a limiting factor for benthic biomass development. The amount of blue carbon generated was lower compared to the main blue carbon ecosystems (e.g., seagrass meadows, mangroves and salt marshes) and high-latitude (polar) ecosystems, but similar to Mediterranean gorgonian-based ecosystems. The present study demonstrates that the present oligotrophic study site is a good candidate for benthic ecosystem restoration due to its facility for blue carbon development and provision of ecosystem services.