Introduction to Seagrass Ecosystems

Seagrass are flowering plants submerged in marine environments. Unlike seaweed, seagrasses are terrestrial plants that adapted to living in salty, submerged conditions.

Seagrasses are found in every continent except Antarctica. They prefer shallow waters where sunlight penetrates, supporting photosynthesis, essential for their survival.

Seagrasses provide habitat, nursery grounds, and food for numerous marine creatures. They also stabilize sediments and improve water quality by filtering pollutants.

Seagrasses are vital in combating climate change, as they sequester carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests and store it in the sediment below.

Seagrass meadows are under threat from coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Almost 29% of known seagrass has disappeared in the last century.

Conservationists are actively restoring seagrass by replanting and protecting existing meadows. Public awareness and policy changes are crucial for their recovery.

Seagrasses have evolved unique adaptations, including leaves that can filter saltwater, specialized roots for anchoring in shifting sands, and flowers pollinated by water currents.

Some seagrass species can grow up to 35 cm per day, making them one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.