Seagrass Meadows

About

Seagrass meadows are highly productive and dynamic ecosystems found in shallow coastal waters worldwide. These underwater environments are formed by seagrasses, which are rooted vascular plants adapted to live submerged in salty waters. Seagrasses have long, slender leaves and a root system that extends into the sediment to absorb nutrients. They provide crucial ecosystem services, including stabilizing sediments, recycling nutrients, and supporting diverse marine life such as fish, invertebrates, and large grazers like sea turtles and dugongs. Seagrass meadows act as nurseries for many commercial fish species and help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon. However, they face significant threats from human activities and natural disturbances. Excessive nutrient input can lead to algal blooms, reducing light availability and harming seagrass growth. Additionally, increased water temperatures and sedimentation further stress these ecosystems. Despite these challenges, seagrass meadows remain vital components of coastal ecosystems, protecting against erosion and improving water quality by trapping sediments and absorbing nutrients.