(First of 2 parts)
Seagrasses are one of the most widespread marine ecosystems on Earth, covering around 300,000 square kilometers of seabed in 159 countries.
Monochromatic seagrass meadows may not be as colorful as coral reefs or as mysterious as mangrove forests. But they are havens for fish, protect coasts from storms and are key stores of carbon, making them some of the world’s most valuable natural spaces.
Despite their importance, these ecosystems are in danger. A football field worth of seagrass disappears every 30 minutes and an estimated 7 percent of meadows are being lost worldwide per year. Ocean acidification, coastal development and rising ocean temperatures due to climate change are the prime drivers of seagrass loss.
To raise awareness about the threats to these ecosystems, the United Nations has designated March 1 as World Seagrass Day.
“The seagrass ecosystem is a perfect example of nature in action, where habitats and the delicate web of life are intertwined in perfect harmony,” said Leticia Carvalho, who formerly led the Marine and Freshwater Branch of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
“On this, International Seagrass Day, let us shine a light on the magic of seagrass meadows and the species, human and non-human alike, who depend on them,” she added.(To be continued) UNEP News
