Global Seagrass Decline And Restoration Efforts

Seagrass meadows, vital for marine ecosystems and carbon sequestration, are rapidly declining due to human activities. While conservation and restoration efforts are underway worldwide, including in India, pollution, habitat destruction, and weak enforcement of environmental laws continue to threaten their survival.

Importance Of Seagrass Meadows

Critical Ecosystem: Seagrass meadows are among the most valuable yet least recognized ecosystems, surpassing even forests in carbon sequestration and providing food security for millions.
Carbon Storage: These underwater plants store carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, locking it away for thousands of years.
Biodiversity Support: Seagrass serves as nurseries for marine species like fish, turtles, and dugongs, supporting 121 threatened species and contributing to 20% of global fishery landings.
Coastal Protection: It acts as a natural barrier, safeguarding coastal communities from storms and erosion.

Global Seagrass Decline

Alarming Reduction: Studies show a global seagrass decline of 1-2% annually over the past century, with nearly 5% of species now endangered.
Human Impact: Pollution, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and coastal development are key threats to these fragile ecosystems.
Conservation Target: Safeguarding 30% of seagrass by 2030 could protect over 750 fish species, store millions of tons of carbon, and sustain coastal livelihoods.

India’s Seagrass Scenario

Coastline Expansion: India’s coastline, recalculated to 11,098 km in 2023-24, houses 10% of the global coastal population, despite making up less than 0.25% of the world’s total coastline.
Seagrass Diversity: India has 16 seagrass species, mainly concentrated in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Gulf of Kutch.
Carbon Absorption Potential: India’s seagrass covers 516.59 sq km, capable of absorbing 434.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide per sq km annually, making it a crucial yet underutilized tool for climate action.
Biodiversity Hotspot: Around 1,250 flora and fauna species, including endangered dugongs and green turtles, are reported from India’s seagrass meadows.

Threats And Conservation Challenges

Rapid Habitat Loss: A 2024 study mapping Tamil Nadu’s Manora coast revealed that 54% of the surveyed area lacked seagrass, highlighting the urgent need for restoration.
Weak Law Enforcement: Despite protective laws, urban pollution, industrial waste, and tourism continue to degrade seagrass meadows.
Need for Immediate Action: Preventing destruction is more critical than restoration, as degradation is occurring at a faster pace.

Restoration Success And Global Efforts

International Conservation Efforts: Around 23.9% of known seagrass meadows are now in marine protected zones, and nearly 2,000 restoration projects have been launched worldwide.
Successful Case Studies:
- Virginia, USA: A large-scale restoration project rehabilitated 1,700 hectares of Zostera marina, reviving marine invertebrate populations.
- India’s Progress: Between 2011-2020, 14 acres of degraded seagrass in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay were restored, achieving an 85-90% success rate.
- Community-Based Projects: The Organization for Marine Conservation, Awareness, and Research in India employs eco-friendly techniques like bamboo frames and coconut ropes to transplant seagrass sprigs in Palk Bay.

The Way Forward

Scientific Research: Studies like those in Manora provide critical data for planning seagrass conservation.
On-Ground Restoration: While research is essential, active restoration and stronger enforcement of environmental laws are necessary to protect and revive these vital ecosystems.

Source: DTE

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