Seagrass Meadows — The Ocean's Hidden Ecosystem
Quick Fact
Seagrass meadows can capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, making them vital allies in the fight against climate change.
About This Species
Seagrasses are the only flowering plants that live fully submerged in the sea. They form vast underwater meadows that provide critical habitat for hundreds of marine species, including juvenile fish, seahorses, sea turtles, and dugongs. Seagrass meadows are among the most efficient carbon stores on Earth — capturing carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests per unit area. Despite their importance, seagrass meadows are declining globally due to coastal development, nutrient pollution, and climate change.
Why It Matters
The loss of seagrass meadows removes critical nursery habitat for commercially important fish species, threatens species like dugongs and green sea turtles that depend on them for food, and releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere.