The global distribution of seagrass meadows

Len J Mckenzie,Richard K F Unsworth,Chris Roelfsema,Benjamin L Jones,Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth,Lina M Nordlund

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ab7d06

Abstract

Seagrass meadows globally are under pressure with worldwide loss and degradation, but there is a growing recognition of the global importance of seagrass ecosystem services, particularly as a major carbon sink and as fisheries habitat. Estimates of global seagrass spatial distribution differ greatly throughout the published literature, ranging from 177 000 to 600 000 km2 with models suggesting potential distribution an order of magnitude higher. The requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement by outlining National Determined Contributions (NDC’s) to reduce emissions is placing an increased global focus on the spatial extent, loss and restoration of seagrass meadows. Now more than ever there is a need to provide a more accurate and consistent measure of the global spatial distribution of seagrass. There is also a need to be able to assess the global spread of other seagrass ecosystem services and in their extension, the values of these services. In this study, by rationalising and updating a range of existing datasets of seagrass distribution around the globe, we have estimated with Moderate to High confidence the global seagrass area to date as 160 387 km2, but possibly 266 562 km2 with lower confidence. We break this global estimate down to a national level with a detailed analysis of the current state of mapped distribution and estimates of seagrass area per country. Accurate estimates, however, are challenged by large areas remaining unmapped and inconsistent measures being used. Through the examination of current global maps, we are able to propose a pathway forward for improving mapping of this important resource. More accurate measure of global #seagrass distribution, critical for assessing current state and trends

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundSeagrass meadows globally are under pressure and experiencing accelerating degradation due to both direct and indirect human activities and climate change [1]
With growing recognition of the global importance of the ecosystem services provided by seagrass, as a major carbon sink and as fisheries habitat [3, 5], more than ever there is a need to provide a more accurate and consistent measure of the global spatial distribution of seagrass meadows
In some parts of the world, this is due to limited mapping efforts, but it is because seagrass meadows are not static and because of the difficulties associated to mapping consistently in many environments that vary in water clarity and depth [10]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and backgroundSeagrass meadows globally are under pressure and experiencing accelerating degradation due to both direct and indirect human activities and climate change [1]. With growing recognition of the global importance of the ecosystem services provided by seagrass, as a major carbon sink and as fisheries habitat [3, 5], more than ever there is a need to provide a more accurate and consistent measure of the global spatial distribution of seagrass meadows. This is the case given the recognition of their role in developing nature-based solutions to climate change [6]. Such models assist with providing estimates of where seagrass might occur, at large scales they may fail to effectively consider the variability in environmental factors, possibly due to the limitation within available data sources, leading to both false positives and false negatives

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Conclusion