Partial photo: Matt Briney
Seagrass Is a vital weapon against climate change, but human activities such as dredging, scarring from boat propellers and pollution from coastal development are killing it. Seagrasses don’t get as much attention as coral reefs, but they store carbon, keep the water clear and are a vital habitat for marine life. Seagrasses occupy less than 0.2% of the seafloor but represent up to 10% of the ocean’s capacity to store carbon. Although the amount storable depends on the species and location, some can store twice as much carbon as the world’s temperate and tropical forests. They also help keep the water clear by capturing sediments, cycle nutrients and provide important habitats for fish, crustaceans and shellfish. Worldwide loss of seagrasses is estimated at 2% to 5% per year — 4 to 10 times the rate of loss for tropical forests. Public awareness of this is needed to motivate effective management and protect or restore these ecosystems.
www.huffpost.com/entry/seagrass-ocean-climate-change-pollution-florida_n_602ced75c5b6cc8bbf3819ff