<Seagrasses>

The Importance of Ocean Meadows

Green turtle resting in seagrass in Shoalwater bay.
Credit: Richard Unsworth/Marine Photobank

As ecosystem engineers, seagrasses provide critical habitat for hundreds of aquatic species. Many of the most economically significant fisheries around the world depend on the primary productivity associated with seagrasses. Sequestering carbon and protecting coastal areas from erosion are just some of many functions that seagrasses perform in marine ecosystems. This month, Seaweb’s Ocean Meadows feature will focus on research and conservation efforts that highlight the social and ecological importance of these macrophytes.

With the support of seagrass experts and the World Seagrass Association, SeaWeb will have news, photos, and science features on seagrass throughout the month of November.

Nov. 15 - Dr. Leanne Cullen-Unsworth provides a guest science feature on the importance of seagrasses and food security.

Nov. 15 - SeaWeb caught up with Dr. Anchana Prathep to talk about why seagrasses are important to her native Thailand and how she is helping educate people to care about this important resource.

Nov. 1 - Find out why seagrasses are changing in this Science in the Spotlight article >>

Nov 1 - Read Ocean Voices with Seagrasses Scientist Jesse Jarvis>>

Read Ocean in Focus and Did You Knowweekly for fun facts and fotos about seagrasses >>

Read previous Just In articles in the archive >>