Seagrass Meadows: Unsung Heroes in Combating Climate Change?

August 12, 2021

Aurora M. Ricart, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Melissa Ward, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher at San Diego State University

Seagrass meadows can be found from the tropics to the arctic circle, with over 60 species in total. These meadows form the foundation of many marine food webs, while also serving to improve water quality, stabilize sediment, and buffer storm surge. More recently, scientists are investigating seagrasses as a natural-based solution in combating climate change. Research, including that of Drs. Aurora M Ricart and Melissa Ward, suggests that these habitats contribute to long-term climate mitigation through sediment carbon sequestration, while also serving to ameliorate the impacts of ocean acidification. In this talk, they will explore the capacity of seagrass ecosystems to help mitigate climate change effects and discuss the implications for the conservation and management of these coastal ecosystems.