Why seagrass meadows should be protected

Abstract

Marine Ecology Seagrasses are found along coastlines around the world but are under threat from human activities. In a Perspective, Cullen-Unsworth and Unsworth explain that seagrasses perform many important functions. For example, seagrasses provide a habitat for diverse marine species, including numerous commercial fish species, and store large amounts of carbon. Loss of seagrass meadows may thus contribute to rising carbon emissions and may threaten biodiversity and food security. Research into the extent and properties of seagrass meadows is helping to inform conservation efforts, but time is of the essence to avoid further losses of these important ecosystems. Science , this issue p. [446][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aat7318