Seagrass Conservation

• 13 Mar 2025

For Prelims: Seagrass, Carbon Sequestration, Greenhouse gas emission, Global warming, Ocean currents, United Nations Environment Programme, Ocean acidification, Gulf of Mannar. 

For Mains: Significance of Seagrass and Concerns Related to it. 

Source: DTE 

Why in News?

A study in Nature reports that seagrasses are declining at a rate of 1–2% annually, with nearly 5% of species endangered due to human activities, highlighting the need to protect 30% of seagrass by 2030 to preserve biodiversity. 

What are Seagrasses?

• About: Seagrasses are submerged, flowering marine aquatic plants that grow in shallow coastal waters such as bays and lagoons.  
  • They possess small flowers and strap-like or oval leaves, forming dense underwater meadows. 
• Classification: Seagrasses belong to the order Alismatales and are classified into 4 families with around 60 species.  
  • Some of the important seagrasses are Sea Cow Grass (Cymodocea serrulata), Thready Seagrass (Cymodocea rotundata), Needle Seagrass (Syringodium isoetifolium), Flat-tipped Seagrass (Halodule uninervis), etc. 
• Key Features: 
  • Like terrestrial plants, seagrasses conduct photosynthesis and support marine biodiversity and enhance oceanic oxygen levels. 
  • Seagrasses reproduce both sexually and asexually.  
    • In sexual reproduction, submarine pollination transfers male pollen to female flowers underwater. Asexually, they propagate through rhizomes-horizontal underground stems, that enable regeneration after disturbances like grazing or storms. 
• Threats to Seagrass: 
  • Pollution: Industrial, agricultural, and urban waste degrade seagrass meadows. 
  • Coastal Development: Tourism and infrastructure projects disturb fragile ecosystems. 
  • Climate Change: Rising temperatures and ocean acidification threaten seagrass survival. 
  • Weak Enforcement: Despite existing laws, conservation efforts lack strict implementation. 

What is the State of Seagrass Conservation? 

• Current Status: Seagrass covers 0.1% of the ocean floor but supports marine life, major fisheries, and thrives in tropical and temperate coastlines. 
• Seagrasses in India: India's seagrass meadows span 516.59 sq km, sequestering 434.9 tonnes of CO₂ per sq km annually, with major concentrations in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep,  and the  Gulf of Kutch. 
• Conservation Efforts: 
  • India's Initiatives 
    • 2011-2020: 14 acres of seagrass restored in the Gulf of Mannar & Palk Bay (85-90% success rate). 
    • Community-led projects using bamboo frames & coconut ropes for transplantation in Palk Bay. 
  • Global Efforts: 
    • 23.9% of seagrass areas fall under Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Successful restoration in Virginia, USA (1,700 hectares of Zostera marina). 

What is the Significance of Seagrasses?

• Carbon Sequestration: Seagrasses store 11% of oceanic organic carbon and absorb 83 million tonnes of atmospheric carbon annually, sequestering carbon 35 times faster than rainforests. 
• Biodiversity Hotspot: It supports marine species, including endangered dugongs (sea cow) and green turtles, and sustains commercially important species like squids and cuttlefish. 
• Ecological Importance: Seagrass meadows support 750 fish species and 121 threatened marine species including endangered dugongs (sea cow), green turtles, squids and cuttlefish. 
  • These ecosystems contribute to 20% of global fishery landings. 
• Coastal Protection: They improve water clarity by trapping sediments, filter land-based pollutants, and prevent coastal erosion by stabilizing the seabed with their root systems. 
• Livelihoods & Fisheries: Seagrasses provide safe breeding grounds for juvenile fish and shield marine organisms from strong currents and predators, supporting ecosystems essential for fisheries and global food security. 

Way Forward

• Integration into Policy Framework: Seagrass conservation should be incorporated into India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan, ensuring policy support, funding, and sustainable management practices. 
• Expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): MPAs should be expanded beyond 2.5% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to protect and restore seagrass ecosystems. 
• Recognition in Climate Strategy: Seagrass should be recognized in India’s Blue Carbon Initiative to support climate commitments and carbon neutrality goals. 
• Assessment and Global Cooperation: Global cooperation is vital as seagrasses aid climate mitigation through carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and biodiversity conservation. The IUCN should assess their status for early intervention, preventing extinction and enhancing conservation efforts.  

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the ecological significance of seagrass meadows and the challenges they face due to human activities. Suggest measures for their conservation in India. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. What is blue carbon?

(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems 
(b) Carton sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils 
(c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas 
(d) Carbon present in atmosphere 

Ans: (a)