Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that thrive in shallow waters across the globe, forming dense meadows that provide shelter and habitat to thousands of marine species. They act as nurseries, with the leafy underwater canopy they create providing shelter for small invertebrates (like crabs and shrimp and other types of crustaceans), small fish and juveniles of larger fish species. These vibrant biodiverse meadows also act as feeding grounds for larger predators that utilise the seagrass meadows to hunt for food.  

 The leaves of seagrass can also filter pathogens, bacteria, and pollution out of seawater, making our oceans a cleaner and safer environment to enjoy. 

Furthermore, the roots of seagrass extend through the sediment creating a network which strengthens the coast, helping to reduce coastal erosion. Their leaves also weaken wave energy and storm surges offering protection to coastal communities from storms.

Seagrass meadows have the potential to sequester and store large quantities of the carbon dissolved in our ocean, often known as ‘blue carbon’. Whilst seagrass occupies only 0.1% of the seafloor, they are responsible for up to 18% of the organic carbon buried in the ocean.

The UK’s seagrass habitats play an important role for both biodiversity and carbon storage. However research estimates that up to 92% of the UK’s seagrass has been lost since 1936, and we must act now to restore these important ecosystems. Mapping existing seagrass meadows, promoting measures such as sustainable boating practices to conserve our remaining meadows, researching how best to restore them, and replanting seagrass are all important steps you will help to fund through this project.