Research indicates that coastal wetlands might capture and store carbon at rates three to five times greater than forests. Research also suggests that nitrogen pollution from septic systems, stormwater runoff, and airborne pollution can significantly compromise a wetland’s ability to store carbon.

The model uses inputs for photosynthetically active radiation, soil temperature, soil salinity, water depth related to marsh surface, and net lateral flux over the growing  period. Outputs include predicted CO₂ flux, predicted CH₄ emission flux, total CO₂ sequestration over the growing period, total CH₄ emission over the growing period, net ecosystem carbon balance over the growing period, and net ecosystem carbon balance over the growing period.