Seagrass meadows play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, improving water quality, protecting shorelines, and sequestering carbon. However, habitat loss estimates indicate that up to 92% of seagrass has been lost in the UK compared to historic levels. Human-induced stressors such as coastal development, dredging, poor water quality, and run-off have contributed significantly to this decline.
This recently released scientific report, by University of Oxford (Seascape Ecology Lab and the Nature-based Solutions Initiative), Project Seagrass, Blue Marine Foundation and other partners, highlights the importance of seagrass restoration and protection in the context of nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.
Although UK seagrass restoration projects were first implemented in 2019, there are now many ongoing initiatives and projects underway. However, while globally applicable carbon codes for seagrass exist, there is no UK-specific code in place. Examples in other regions indicate that seagrass could absorb carbon up to 10 times faster than forests, but no published UK data currently exists.
Developing an evidence-based UK seagrass carbon code would enable an integrated approach to restoration and ecosystem recovery, aligning with other habitat-specific codes. This report emphasizes a particular need for better data on seagrass spatial extent and condition, as well as on net carbon sequestration and restoration outcomes.
“With so little known about UK seagrass meadows, we have both a challenge and opportunity. Collecting essential data on carbon offsets achieved through UK seagrass restoration can pave the way for a carbon code, bringing the UK closer to greenhouse gas reduction and habitat recovery goals.” – Melissa Ward, lead author at the Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab
Read the summary here or full report here.
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Posted On: 26/07/2023