The Impact of Climate Change on Seagrass

Abstract

Climate change significantly impacts seagrass ecosystems, particularly in shallow coastal waters. Rising global temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions alter weather patterns, affecting seagrass growth and distribution. Studies reveal a 7% annual decline in seagrass habitats due to anthropogenic pressures, with projections of further loss. Seagrass meadows, crucial for marine biodiversity, face threats from thermal stress, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification. These changes reduce photosynthetic efficiency, alter reproductive patterns, and increase mortality. Additionally, extreme weather events and altered precipitation patterns disrupt seagrass environments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive conservation efforts to mitigate climate change’s detrimental effects on these vital marine ecosystems.