Seagrass ecosystem services – What's next?

Abstract

Seagrasses, marine flowering plants, provide a wide range of ecosystem services, defined here as natural processes and components that directly or indirectly benefit human needs. Recent research has shown that there are still many gaps in our comprehension of seagrass ecosystem service provision. Furthermore, there seems to be little public knowledge of seagrasses in general and the benefits they provide. This begs the questions: how do we move forward with the information we have? What other information do we need and what actions do we need to take in order to improve the situation and appreciation for seagrass? Based on the outcomes from an international expert knowledge eliciting workshop, three key areas to advance seagrass ecosystem service research were identified: 1) Variability of ecosystem services within seagrass meadows and among different meadows; 2) Seagrass ecosystem services in relation to, and their connection with, other coastal habitats; and 3) Improvement in the communication of seagrass ecosystem services to the public. Here we present ways forward to advance seagrass ecosystem service research in order to raise the profile of seagrass globally, as a means to establish more effective conservation and restoration of these important coastal habitats around the world.

Global significance of seagrass fishery activity

“…The global extent of seagrass fishery activity revealed here indicates that the global decline of seagrass (Waycott et al, 2009) may also be negatively impacting this provision of ecosystem services of seagrass. Seagrass meadows are vital ecosystem service providers, but for these services to be maintained, more effective and proactive management is necessary, especially given the alarming rates at which seagrasses have been documented to be lost globally (Waycott et al, 2009;Nordlund et al, 2017). We do know from limited seagrass fishery data and from other similar inshore fisheries (Exton 2006) that there are multiple overlapping challenges for sustainable management of seagrass fisheries.…”

Towards recognition of seagrasses, and their sustainable management

“…Marine conservation priorities do not recognise the value of the goods and services that seagrasses provide, despite growing evidence of their importance. In general, biodiversity and conservation measures give only secondary consideration to seagrass (Nordlund et al, 2017a;Unsworth et al, 2010).…”

“…Research effort and associated evidence is growing of the value of the ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows. Three key areas to advance seagrass ecosystem service research have been identified by Nordlund et al (2017a). These areas are 1) Variability of ecosystem services within seagrass meadows and among different meadows;…”

Estado de pastos marinos en dos playas de la cayería norte, antes y después del paso del huracán Irma por la provincia de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba

“…Los pastos marinos y las macroalgas asociadas absorben nutrientes inorgánicos que mejoran la transparencia de la columna de agua, al actuar como filtros (Borum et al 2004). Además, participan en la estabilización de los sedimentos y de la línea costera (Martínez-Daranas, 2007) lo que garantiza importantes servicios ambientales para el ser humano (Nordlund et al 2018).…”