Carbon Sequestration through Ecosystem Restoration: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration has emerged as a critical strategy for mitigating climate
change while simultaneously enhancing biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem resilience. Degraded forests,
wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, and agricultural landscapes possess substantial potential to capture
and store atmospheric carbon through biological and geochemical processes. This review examines the
mechanisms of carbon sequestration in restored ecosystems, evaluates restoration opportunities across
major biomes, and discusses the ecological, economic, and policy challenges associated with large-scale
implementation. Forest restoration remains one of the most effective terrestrial approaches for long-term
carbon storage, whereas wetlands and mangroves provide exceptionally high carbon accumulation rates due

to reduced decomposition under waterlogged conditions. Grassland and agroecosystem restoration con-
tribute significantly through soil organic carbon enhancement. Despite these opportunities, uncertainties in

carbon accounting, land-use competition, climate variability, restoration costs, and permanence of stored
carbon remain major constraints. Advances in remote sensing, ecological modeling, and carbon market
mechanisms are improving monitoring and financial feasibility of restoration projects. Integrating ecosystem
restoration with biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and community participation is
essential for maximizing climate mitigation benefits while supporting socioeconomic development.