Habitat under the sea: Reasons why we must conserve seagrass
Seagrasses play a critical role in preserving marine diversity. They serve as a home to countless aquatic species, one of the many reasons why protecting them is vital.
Here are the following reasons why seagrasses are essential to marine life:
They are multi-purpose plants
Seagrasses can serve as food, shelter, and nursery areas to about twenty percent of the world’s largest fisheries. Hence, without seagrasses, fisheries would be scarce, and livelihoods could be gone.
There are numerous seagrass varieties (and benefits)
Seagrasses are underwater plants with more than 70 species. Most of them have tall, green leaves. The tallest seagrass species is Zostera caulescens, with leaves that can grow as high as 23 feet.
They significantly contribute to marine biodiversity
Seagrasses help in keeping the overall condition of the ocean and its inhabitants healthy. Not only does it provide a home to all types of marine life, but seagrasses also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that makes underwater species alive. They eliminate carbon dioxide from the water and use carbon for the growth of their leaves and roots.
They protect the shorelines
Similar to the tropical rainforest, seagrasses help protect the coasts by reducing the impact of strong waves during a storm. This helps in safeguarding the shore from erosion.
This shows how seagrasses play a huge role in combating climate change. With their ability to secure coastlands and absorb carbon quicker than trees, seagrasses can contribute a lot to alleviating the climate crisis.
This is why protecting the marine ecosystem, including seagrass beds, should be part of the climate change policies.
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