Human connections to seagrass meadows date back 180,000 years, study reveals

The prevalence of seagrass throughout human civilisation has fostered spiritual and cultural relations with these underwater gardens.

Oscar Serrano, Principal Researcher, Coastal Ecology, Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) • conversation
April 16, 2025 ~8 min

Expanding seaweed farms pose a risk to vital marine life

Without appropriate management, seaweed farming programmes could be dangerous for marine biodiversity and the benefits that humans get from the ocean.

Richard K.F. Unsworth, Associate Professor in Marine Biology, Swansea University • conversation
Feb. 19, 2025 ~7 min


Oceans without sharks would be far less healthy – new research

A broad review of shark research shows that sharks play critical roles in keeping ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds healthy.

Michael Heithaus, Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2024 ~8 min

I’ve been listening to seagrass meadows to understand how their underwater soundscapes reflect biodiversity

Recording soundscapes in seagrass is useful because it allows researchers to detect creatures that can’t be seen, because they’re camouflaged, hiding or nocturnal.

Isabel Key, PhD Candidate, Marine Ecology, The University of Edinburgh • conversation
July 4, 2024 ~9 min

Seagrass meadows are rapidly expanding near inhabited islands in Maldives – here’s why

While humanity often has a negative impact, people may inadvertently play a pivotal role in this Maldivian seagrass success story.

Matthew Floyd, PhD Candidate, Marine Ecology, Northumbria University, Newcastle • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~6 min

Save our seabed – the bottom of the ocean needs to become a top priority, and the UN agrees

Blue carbon is stored in mangroves, seagrass and sediments. Discussions at the UN Ocean Decade conference reiterate the importance of preserving existing sea floor habitats, before it’s too late.

William Austin, Professor, University of St Andrews • conversation
April 12, 2024 ~8 min

Unprecedented marine heatwave underlines the urgency to clean up UK rivers and coasts

Seagrasses need light to remain resilient to marine heatwaves – water pollution disrupts that balance.

Benjamin L.H. Jones, Chief Conservation Officer, Project Seagrass & Postdoctoral Associate, Florida International University • conversation
June 20, 2023 ~8 min

Tropical seagrass meadows are sand factories that can help defend coral reef islands from sea-level rise

One meadow made enough sand to create a new island in 18 years.

Jamie Johnson, Research Assistant, Northumbria University, Newcastle • conversation
Feb. 16, 2023 ~6 min


Tropical seagrass meadows are sand factories that could protect coral reef islands from sea-level rise

One meadow made enough sand to create a new island in 18 years.

Jamie Johnson, Research Assistant, Northumbria University, Newcastle • conversation
Feb. 16, 2023 ~6 min

Seagrass meadows shrank by 92% in UK waters - restoring them could absorb carbon emissions and boost fish

Seagrass meadows are a powerful ally in the effort to slow climate change and reverse wildlife losses.

Peter JS Jones, Reader in Environmental Governance, UCL • conversation
March 4, 2021 ~6 min

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