health
‘Amazing’: how to grow a meadow in the sea
Vibrant seagrass meadows once flourished around the UK but most have been destroyed. Now, communities and scientists are working to restore them
TL;DR
- Seagrass meadows, crucial for fish nurseries, carbon storage, and coastal protection, have seen up to 92% loss around the UK.
- Restoration efforts involve meticulous hand-planting of seeds collected from healthy meadows, using tools like caulking guns and seeding machines.
- Challenges include harsh winter weather, heatwaves, storms, predation by animals like Brent geese and lugworms, and human impacts like pollution and boat anchors.
- Project Seagrass and other groups are conducting numerous experiments to optimize planting techniques, seed storage, and site selection.
- Successful restoration sites are already showing signs of recovery, with increased fish populations and other marine life.
- Wales has a national action plan to restore 250 hectares of seagrass by 2030, with political support for environmental initiatives.
- Restored seagrass beds can also bring economic benefits through fishing and tourism, and contribute to cleaning the planet.