Seagrasses are a unique group of marine flowering plants that grow in shallow coastal waters from the sub-Artic to tropical regions, usually in soft sediments. In these habitats, seagrasses are considered foundation species that supply a wide range of vital ecosystem services, including one of the most significant blue carbon sinks on the planet. Worldwide, climate change is exposing seagrass meadows to rapid changes, causing massive die-offs, loss of associated biodiversity, and enhanced erosion – entailing economic and social costs. This phenomenon has already affected the livelihoods of millions living along our coastlines. On the other hand, with effective seagrass management and restoration activities, seagrasses have been recognized as a promising natural-based solution for tackling some of the causes of climate change, parallel to fulfilling many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations.
A better understanding of the effects of climate change on seagrasses will provide stakeholders and policymakers with more accurate predictions and opportunities to develop more effective actions to secure the existence of seagrasses and their functions for future generations. Advanced insights and technologies in seagrass conservation, management and restoration could help to reverse current rates of seagrass decline and maximize climate mitigation and ecosystem benefits in more cost-effective and sustainable ways.
In this Research Topic, we invite contributions that investigate both challenges fueled by climate change on seagrasses and how to employ seagrasses to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. In particular, the effects of climate change among different seagrass species living in the same area and among different populations of the same species spreading over diverse environments using mesocosm experiments, field studies and modeling algorithms. Studies develop advanced restoration methodologies and explore how seagrass restoration can support local communities and economies. Especially, we encourage studies from areas with high seagrass diversity and abundance but yet under-investigated, such as South-East Asia, South America and Africa.
Seagrasses are a unique group of marine flowering plants that grow in shallow coastal waters from the sub-Artic to tropical regions, usually in soft sediments. In these habitats, seagrasses are considered foundation species that supply a wide range of vital ecosystem services, including one of the most significant blue carbon sinks on the planet. Worldwide, climate change is exposing seagrass meadows to rapid changes, causing massive die-offs, loss of associated biodiversity, and enhanced erosion – entailing economic and social costs. This phenomenon has already affected the livelihoods of millions living along our coastlines. On the other hand, with effective seagrass management and restoration activities, seagrasses have been recognized as a promising natural-based solution for tackling some of the causes of climate change, parallel to fulfilling many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations.
A better understanding of the effects of climate change on seagrasses will provide stakeholders and policymakers with more accurate predictions and opportunities to develop more effective actions to secure the existence of seagrasses and their functions for future generations. Advanced insights and technologies in seagrass conservation, management and restoration could help to reverse current rates of seagrass decline and maximize climate mitigation and ecosystem benefits in more cost-effective and sustainable ways.
In this Research Topic, we invite contributions that investigate both challenges fueled by climate change on seagrasses and how to employ seagrasses to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. In particular, the effects of climate change among different seagrass species living in the same area and among different populations of the same species spreading over diverse environments using mesocosm experiments, field studies and modeling algorithms. Studies develop advanced restoration methodologies and explore how seagrass restoration can support local communities and economies. Especially, we encourage studies from areas with high seagrass diversity and abundance but yet under-investigated, such as South-East Asia, South America and Africa.