The role of seagrass in combating climate change is gaining significant recognition worldwide. In Northern Germany, scuba divers are uprooting shoots of these underwater plants and transplanting them into barren areas with the goal to revive these oceanic carbon sinks and assist in the global fight against climate change.
Understanding Seagrass Meadows
Seagrass meadows consist of flowering plants which flourish in shallow coastal waters. These plants form dense underwater carpets spanning large areas. They thrive best where sunlight can penetrate the water, allowing them to undergo photosynthesis for growth. Additionally, they generally grow in sandy or muddy substrates, where their roots can take hold, stabilizing the plant.
The Significance of Seagrass Medows
Despite covering just 0.1% of the ocean floor, seagrass meadows play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance.
Carbon Sequestration: Deemed as highly efficient carbon sinks, seagrass meadows store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon, aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and slowing down global warming.
Water Quality Improvement: These meadows also filter pollutants from the water, trap sediments, and prevent erosion, thereby improving water clarity and quality. This not only benefits marine life but also supports human activities like fishing, tourism, and recreation.
Habitat and Biodiversity: Recognized as some of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth, they provide habitats and food for many marine creatures, including fish, turtles, dugongs, crabs, and seahorses.
Coastline Protection: Acting as natural barriers, seagrass beds protect coastlines from erosion caused by waves and tidal currents.
Growing Concerns about Seagrass Preservation
According to the “Out of the Blue: The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to People” report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it is estimated that 7% of seagrass habitat is being lost worldwide each year. Since the late 19th century, almost 30% of seagrass area across the globe has disappeared.
The main causes of seagrass loss are coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Construction of ports and marinas can destroy seagrass habitats or reduce their light availability. Similarly, the runoff of nutrients, chemicals, and sediments from agriculture, industry, and urban areas can cause eutrophication, algal blooms, and turbidity, which can smother or shade out seagrass plants. Lastly, rising sea temperatures, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events can stress or damage seagrass plants and alter their distribution and growth.
Seagrasses in India
In India, the primary seagrass beds are found along the coastline of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay regions on the east coast, Gulf of Kachchh region on the west coast, the lagoons of islands in Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Restoration Efforts
Restoration efforts have been made in various regions across the world. Such initiatives are noticeable in regions including but not limited to the Baltic Sea in Germany, Chesapeake Bay in the USA and the Gulf of Mannar in India. These projects aim to counteract the rapid loss of these crucial environmentally and economically essential habitats.