Brief 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.
Source Content
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