268. What do you know about Seagrass?

I vividly recall my first experience at the coast when we ventured into the ocean during low tide. Amidst the intriguing array of coastal creatures, it was the sight of seagrass that truly captivated me. What was a blade of grass doing in the middle of the ocean? At that tender age, my understanding of the ocean was simplistic – merely a vast bucket of water where fish could be caught. The concept of plants thriving underwater was entirely novel to me. However, that day marked a moment of discovery and growth. As I reflect on that memory, I realize how learning about the intricate ecosystems of the ocean continues to shape my understanding of the world around me.

What are seagrasses?

Seagrasses are unique and essential marine plants that thrive underwater in coastal environments. Unlike terrestrial grasses, they are flowering plants belonging to the group of angiosperms. These plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to the marine environment.

They provide habitat and nursery areas for a diverse array of marine species, stabilize sediments, reduce erosion, and improve water quality through their photosynthetic activity. Found globally in coastal waters ranging from tropical to temperate regions, seagrasses are indispensable components of coastal ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and providing valuable ecosystem services. Protecting and conserving seagrass habitats is vital for the health and resilience of coastal environments worldwide.

Here are some key characteristics of seagrasses:

1. Adaptations to the Marine Environment: Seagrasses have evolved various adaptations to survive in the marine environment, such as elongated leaves with a thick cuticle to reduce water loss and tolerance to high salinity.
2. Root Systems: Seagrasses have complex root systems that anchor them to the seafloor. These roots also help stabilize sediment and provide habitat for a diverse range of marine organisms.
3. Photosynthesis: Seagrasses perform photosynthesis using sunlight to produce energy, like terrestrial plants. However, they have adapted to absorb carbon dioxide from the surrounding water rather than from the air.
4. Habitat and Ecosystem Services: Seagrass beds provide essential habitat and nursery areas for numerous marine species, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They also help improve water quality by stabilizing sediments, reducing erosion, and absorbing nutrients.
5. Global Distribution: Seagrasses are found in coastal waters around the world, from tropical to temperate regions, although they are most diverse and abundant in shallow, sheltered areas.

Overall, seagrasses are vital components of coastal ecosystems, providing valuable ecosystem services and supporting diverse marine life. Protecting and conserving seagrass habitats is crucial for maintaining the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems.

In a recent report, there is a decline on these organisms and this can be traced back to a number of reasons.

Seagrass decline occur due to various factors, including:

1. Coastal Development: Increased coastal development can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and sedimentation, which can negatively impact seagrass beds.
2. Pollution: Pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, oil spills, and other sources can degrade water quality and harm seagrass populations.
3. Climate Change: Climate change can cause sea level rise, changes in water temperature, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, all of which can stress seagrass ecosystems.
4. Dredging and Coastal Engineering: Dredging activities for navigation purposes and coastal engineering projects can directly damage seagrass beds or disrupt their habitats through increased sedimentation and turbidity.
5. Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Practices: Overfishing can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, affecting the species that rely on seagrass habitats. Destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling can directly damage seagrass beds.
6. Invasive Species: Invasive species, such as certain algae or grazers, can outcompete or consume seagrasses, leading to their decline.
7. Physical Disturbance: Physical disturbance from boat anchors, propeller scarring, and recreational activities like snorkeling and diving can directly damage seagrass meadows.
8. Disease: Seagrasses can be susceptible to diseases, which can spread rapidly and cause significant damage to populations.

These factors can act alone or in combination to contribute to the decline of seagrass ecosystems. Conservation efforts focused on mitigating these threats and restoring seagrass habitats are crucial for their long-term health and survival.

What can be done to enable seagrass conservation

Encouraging seagrass conservation requires a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders and strategies. Here are several actions that can help promote seagrass conservation:

1. Raise Awareness: Educate coastal communities, policymakers, and the general public about the importance of seagrass ecosystems, their ecological value, and the threats they face.
2. Implement Protective Policies: Advocate for the establishment and enforcement of regulations to protect seagrass habitats from destructive activities such as dredging, pollution, and coastal development.
3. Restore Degraded Habitats: Support and participate in seagrass restoration projects aimed at replanting degraded areas, enhancing habitat connectivity, and improving ecosystem resilience.
4. Reduce Pollution: Take measures to reduce pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, oil spills, and other sources to improve water quality and minimize stress on seagrass populations.
5. Manage Coastal Development: Promote sustainable coastal development practices that minimize habitat destruction, sedimentation, and nutrient runoff from land-based activities.
6. Promote Sustainable Fisheries: Support sustainable fishing practices and fisheries management measures to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems, including seagrass habitats.
7. Monitor and Research: Invest in monitoring programs and scientific research to better understand seagrass ecosystems, identify threats, and assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
8. Collaborate and Coordinate: Foster collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and local communities to develop integrated conservation strategies and leverage resources effectively.
9. Engage Stakeholders: Engage stakeholders, including local communities, fishermen, businesses, and recreational users, in conservation efforts through outreach, capacity building, and participatory decision-making processes.

By implementing these actions collectively and collaboratively, we can work towards the conservation and sustainable management of seagrass ecosystems for the benefit of both marine biodiversity and coastal communities.

Organizations that work to promote Seagrass restoration at the Kenyan Coast

1. Project Seagrass

Project Seagrass is a global environmental charity dedicated to conserving seagrass ecosystems through community engagement, scientific research, and direct conservation action. They raise awareness and collaborate with stakeholders to protect and restore seagrass habitats, conduct cutting-edge research to support their efforts, and actively work to conserve seagrass meadows worldwide. Their mission is to lead societal change to enable the recognition, recovery, and resilience of seagrass ecosystems, which provide biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and planetary life support.

Link: https://www.projectseagrass.org/about/

2. COMRED

COMRED, established in 2006 as a non-profit organization, is dedicated to nurturing practical solutions for challenges facing coastal and marine environments and communities on the East African coast. Based in Mombasa, Kenya, their work extends throughout the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. They collaborate with partners and associates to address conservation, sustainable urban development, capacity building, and project design and implementation, with a strong focus on training future practitioners. Their vision is of sustainable marine and coastal environments supporting thriving communities, while their mission is to build resilient coastal communities and environments in the WIO region. They emphasize diversity and intergenerational expertise, bridging science and management through inclusive, participatory processes. Through tailored consultancy services, they offer solutions ranging from environmental conservation to coastal community development and planning, striving to innovate adaptive solutions and drive positive change in the blue economy sector.

3. WIOMSA

WIOMSA, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, has accumulated extensive experience in coordinating research grant programs, shaping regional research agendas, and facilitating capacity-building initiatives. They bridge the gap between science and management, engage in environmental advocacy, and facilitate networking and dissemination of technical information. Collaborating with members, partners, and governments across ten countries in the Western Indian Ocean region, WIOMSA is committed to sustaining the use and conservation of marine resources. Originating three decades ago, WIOMSA emerged amidst various marine and coastal resource-focused initiatives aimed at enhancing the sustainability of coastal and marine ecosystems, ensuring the longevity of the resources they provide, and supporting the livelihoods of communities reliant on these ecosystems.

Link: https://www.wiomsa.org/about-us/

4. Local Ocean Trust (LOT) and Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT)

Local Ocean Trust (LOT) and Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT) are dedicated to protecting Kenya's coastline and marine life. LOT focuses on safeguarding sea turtles and marine ecosystems through programs like beach monitoring and turtle rehabilitation. LaMCoT is committed to conserving marine life in the Lamu archipelago, particularly endangered sea turtles, through initiatives like tag and release projects and waste management schemes. Both organizations collaborate with local communities and receive support from Tusk to make significant impacts in marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Link: https://www.tusk.org/news/12-jul-2016-protecting-kenyas-coastline/

5. COBEC

COBEC is a community-based organization dedicated to conserving natural resources and protecting species and habitats. They recognize the critical role of oceans in addressing climate change and advocate for their protection. With vast areas of ocean currently unprotected and vulnerable to human pressures such as unsustainable fishing and climate change, COBEC's work focuses on empowering local communities to conserve their natural resources. Through their efforts, they aim to ensure that the value of nature is considered in decision-making processes at local, national, and global levels. Support COBEC in their mission to safeguard the health and biodiversity of our oceans for the benefit of present and future generations.

Link: https://cobec.or.ke/

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