Seagrass Conservation Key to Global Biodiversity

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment, Conservation

In Context

• A recent review published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment highlights declining status of seagrass worldwide due to human activities at a rate of 1-2% per year.

About Seagrasses

• Seagrasses are submerged, flowering plants that form dense underwater meadows. They evolved from terrestrial plants and adapted to marine environments. 
• Unlike seaweed (which is algae), seagrasses have roots, stems, and leaves and can produce flowers and seeds.

Importance of Seagrass Ecosystems

• Carbon Sequestration and Climate Action: Known as the “lungs of the sea,” seagrasses can store carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
• Biodiversity and Marine Life Protection: Seagrass meadows provide habitat and nurseries for fish species and shelter for threatened & endangered marine species.
• Coastal Protection: Acting as natural barriers, seagrasses protect coastal communities from storms and erosion, thereby reducing disaster risks.
• Economic Values: Seagrass meadows provide immense economic benefits, valued at US $6.4 trillion annually. They support coastal economies by sustaining fisheries, tourism

Seagrass in India

• India, with a recalculated coastline of 11,098 km (2023-24), has extensive seagrass meadows, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Gulf of Kutch.

Threats to Seagrass Ecosystems

• Anthropogenic Activities like urbanization, pollution and agricultural activities. 
• Weak Enforcement of Laws for protecting coastal ecosystems
• Biodiversity Loss and unregulated fishing and boating activities.

Global and Indian Restoration Efforts

• Global Success Stories:
  • Seagrass Watch: A collaborative citizen science program that trains volunteers, NGOs, and research organizations to monitor, document, and conserve seagrass habitats worldwide.
  • Blue Carbon Initiative: A global project focusing on carbon sequestration in coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
• Indian Conservation Initiatives:
  • National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017): Recognizes seagrass meadows as essential coastal marine ecosystems alongside mangroves and coral reefs.
  • Climate Resilience Project: Implemented in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Supported by a grant from the Global Climate Fund (GCF).
  • Seagrass Restoration in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay.

Source: DTE