Contributed by Climate Wise
Seagrass ecosystems can sequester significant amounts of carbon and store it as organic carbon in sediment for long periods, making them one of the most significant natural carbon sinks globally. They account for a minimal proportion of the world’s oceans at less than 0.2%; however, they sequester approximately 10% of the carbon buried in ocean sediment annually, sequestering 27.4 Tg of carbon per year. Compared to terrestrial forests, seagrasses can store up to twice as much carbon per hectare. They act as a refuge for numerous marine species, including endemic and endangered species.
However, human activity, including dredging, shoreline development, anchoring, and boat propellers, has caused seagrass beds in Bermuda to be critically endangered. Between 1997 and 2004, almost half of Bermuda’s offshore seagrass beds declined. Another culprit has contributed towards further declines in recent years: the green turtle. A lack of predators in the ecosystem due to the overfishing of sharks has resulted in an imbalance, resulting in the green turtle overgrazing on seagrass beds. In a healthy ecosystem, turtles and seagrass co-exist as sharks control the turtle population and limit the time the turtles spend grazing on the meadows. Alongside a lack of sharks, numerous successful conservation efforts around the Caribbean Sea and Florida have increased the population.
Therefore, Climate Wise launched the Bermuda Seagrass Project to restore the seagrass habitat and micro-ecosystem surrounding Bermuda. By caging and fencing patches of seagrass, they are protected from grazing by green turtles and allowed to grow. The turtles can access part of the seagrass, but not enough to hinder its growth. This method allows the seagrass to flower and produce seeds which are eventually distributed to increase the seagrass coverage. When the marine ecosystem is fully restored, this includes the return of a healthy shark population, the seagrass can grow out from under the cages and colonise other areas.
Improving the seagrass meadows improves the marine environment. The primary aim of the project is to restore balance in the ecosystem and allow the vibrant system to regrow. Regenerating the seagrass meadows has numerous benefits to various other species that inhabit seagrass, including rays, seahorses, and parrotfish. Additionally, species outside the meadows also benefit from the increase in species.
Another key benefit of the project is the carbon sequestration ability of the resorted seagrass. As mentioned, seagrasses are a vital carbon sink and are considerably better at removing carbon from circulation than many land-based solutions. The seagrass meadows will therefore contribute to reducing the volume of carbon in the atmosphere, and therefore, reduce the global carbon footprint. The carbon impact of the project is being monitored, which can then be used to inform the establishment of similar projects in other locations.
While benefitting the environment, the community, tourism, and local businesses are also supported. A total of 2,384 square metres of seagrass habitat were reported by the end of 2021, with the aim of bringing the total area of seagrass covered and protected in Bermuda to 19,000 metres squared. There is still a long way to go, but the impact of the project and restoring the ecosystem has unparalleled effects in tackling climate change.
About Climate Wise
Climate Wise is a non-profit environmental organisation that focuses on promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions. Founded in 2009, the organisation operates globally, with a primary focus on helping communities and businesses mitigate their environmental impact. Climate Wise provides consultancy services and tools that enable businesses to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, as well as assistance in achieving carbon neutrality. The organisation also implements various projects to mitigate the effects of climate change, including reforestation, renewable energy, and seagrass restoration. Climate Wise believes in building partnerships with businesses and communities to promote a sustainable future for all.
