World Seagrass Day: Celebrating the Underappreciated Marine Gem
World Seagrass Day: The hidden gem of our oceans
TroibNews 
Every year on March 1, World Seagrass Day is observed to enhance global awareness regarding seagrass conservation. This day was proclaimed by the United Nations in May 2022 and highlights the essential ecosystem services provided by seagrass, including its significance as a blue carbon resource. As the global climate crisis intensifies, the protection of seagrass has become even more crucial.
Seagrasses are fundamental to marine ecosystems, acting as the foundation of the marine food chain and serving as vital carbon sinks and water purifiers. These meadows have the ability to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation.
Research indicates that seagrass meadows store more carbon per unit area than other ecosystems, with their carbon remaining sequestered for longer periods. For example, along some parts of China's coastline, seagrass meadows sequester approximately 543.5 grams of carbon per square meter each year.
As such, the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows are essential for maintaining ecological balance and addressing climate change.
In China, seagrass can mainly be found in the South China Sea, the Bohai Sea, and the Yellow Sea. The South China Sea hosts 15 species of seagrasses, with Halophila ovalis being the most prevalent. Conversely, the northern regions are home to nine species, with Zostera marina being the predominant species.
The largest seagrass meadows in China are located in the southern provinces of Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Overall, China's seagrass meadows span nearly 8,800 hectares, with Hainan accounting for 64 percent of this area.
Unfortunately, human activities, climate change, and water pollution have led to severe degradation of China's seagrass meadows. Between 2015 and 2020, over 80 percent of seagrass beds in China's coastal regions vanished. This concerning trend highlights the urgent need for protective and restorative interventions.
In response, China has enacted several measures to safeguard seagrass. The government has conducted comprehensive surveys of seagrass resources, particularly in the South China Sea.
Gaining insight into the species, distribution, and environmental conditions in Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi is vital for enhancing conservation efforts, according to Xiao Xi, a professor at the Ocean College, Zhejiang University.
Furthermore, numerous seagrass protection zones and scientific monitoring stations have been established, such as the Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve in Guangxi and the Leizhou Seagrass Protection Zone in Guangdong.
On an international scale, China is collaborating with countries like Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Australia to exchange technology for seagrass protection. As many experts assert, international cooperation is crucial for the global conservation of seagrass.
Recently, China's Two Sessions have placed greater emphasis on ecological civilization, leading to increased policy support for seagrass conservation.
The 2024 "White Paper on China's Marine Ecological Environment Protection" underscores the promotion of carbon sequestration and enhancement in blue carbon ecosystems, including seagrass beds.
For instance, carbon credit loans for seagrass beds and algae farms have been initiated in Changdao City, located in east China's Shandong Province.
China stands out as one of the few nations with three major blue carbon ecosystems: seagrass beds, mangroves, and salt marshes.
Based on global averages, the annual carbon sequestration capacity of China’s three coastal blue carbon ecosystems is estimated to be between approximately 1.3 million to 3.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Of this, seagrass beds can sequester between 32,000 and 57,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, playing a critical role in carbon sequestration efforts to combat climate change.
Protecting seagrass isn't solely the responsibility of the government and scientists; everyday citizens can also play a vital role.
Professor Xiao explains that individuals can help raise environmental awareness, appreciate the ecological value of seagrass beds, and support conservation initiatives. Moreover, they can work to minimize marine plastic pollution and choose low-impact activities when visiting coastal areas, such as reducing vehicular traffic on beaches and avoiding damage to seagrass during snorkeling or diving.
Only through concerted global efforts can we secure the future of seagrass, a previously overlooked marine treasure.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Seagrasses are fundamental to marine ecosystems, acting as the foundation of the marine food chain and serving as vital carbon sinks and water purifiers. These meadows have the ability to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation.
Research indicates that seagrass meadows store more carbon per unit area than other ecosystems, with their carbon remaining sequestered for longer periods. For example, along some parts of China's coastline, seagrass meadows sequester approximately 543.5 grams of carbon per square meter each year.
As such, the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows are essential for maintaining ecological balance and addressing climate change.
In China, seagrass can mainly be found in the South China Sea, the Bohai Sea, and the Yellow Sea. The South China Sea hosts 15 species of seagrasses, with Halophila ovalis being the most prevalent. Conversely, the northern regions are home to nine species, with Zostera marina being the predominant species.
The largest seagrass meadows in China are located in the southern provinces of Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Overall, China's seagrass meadows span nearly 8,800 hectares, with Hainan accounting for 64 percent of this area.
Unfortunately, human activities, climate change, and water pollution have led to severe degradation of China's seagrass meadows. Between 2015 and 2020, over 80 percent of seagrass beds in China's coastal regions vanished. This concerning trend highlights the urgent need for protective and restorative interventions.
In response, China has enacted several measures to safeguard seagrass. The government has conducted comprehensive surveys of seagrass resources, particularly in the South China Sea.
Gaining insight into the species, distribution, and environmental conditions in Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi is vital for enhancing conservation efforts, according to Xiao Xi, a professor at the Ocean College, Zhejiang University.
Furthermore, numerous seagrass protection zones and scientific monitoring stations have been established, such as the Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve in Guangxi and the Leizhou Seagrass Protection Zone in Guangdong.
On an international scale, China is collaborating with countries like Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Australia to exchange technology for seagrass protection. As many experts assert, international cooperation is crucial for the global conservation of seagrass.
Recently, China's Two Sessions have placed greater emphasis on ecological civilization, leading to increased policy support for seagrass conservation.
The 2024 "White Paper on China's Marine Ecological Environment Protection" underscores the promotion of carbon sequestration and enhancement in blue carbon ecosystems, including seagrass beds.
For instance, carbon credit loans for seagrass beds and algae farms have been initiated in Changdao City, located in east China's Shandong Province.
China stands out as one of the few nations with three major blue carbon ecosystems: seagrass beds, mangroves, and salt marshes.
Based on global averages, the annual carbon sequestration capacity of China’s three coastal blue carbon ecosystems is estimated to be between approximately 1.3 million to 3.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Of this, seagrass beds can sequester between 32,000 and 57,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, playing a critical role in carbon sequestration efforts to combat climate change.
Protecting seagrass isn't solely the responsibility of the government and scientists; everyday citizens can also play a vital role.
Professor Xiao explains that individuals can help raise environmental awareness, appreciate the ecological value of seagrass beds, and support conservation initiatives. Moreover, they can work to minimize marine plastic pollution and choose low-impact activities when visiting coastal areas, such as reducing vehicular traffic on beaches and avoiding damage to seagrass during snorkeling or diving.
Only through concerted global efforts can we secure the future of seagrass, a previously overlooked marine treasure.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
