Identify gaps and develop actionable strategies for the protection and restoration of seagrass.

The First Asian Regional Dialogue on Seagrass and Dugong Conservation brought together key experts, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to discuss innovative approaches, identify gaps, and develop actionable strategies for the protection and restoration of seagrass ecosystems and associated dugong populations.



Seagrass and Dugong Conservation: From Gaps to Impactful Action.
20 - 21 February 2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Resolution A/RES/76/265 proclaiming March 1st as World Seagrass Day.

Image
  In May 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/76/265 proclaiming March 1st as World Seagrass Day. The resolution highlights the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions for the conservation of seagrasses in order to contribute to their health and development, bearing in mind that enhancing ecosystem services and functions is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read more

Highlight the reasons to protect and restore seagrass.

Image
  Seagrass meadows exist in 159 countries on six continents, covering over 300,000 km2, making them one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth. Almost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century and at least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline. Seagrasses, as a part of the marine ecosystem , store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon . Conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more

What are the threats to seagrasses?

Image
Seagrasses are impacted by human disturbances such as dredging, coastal development, and boating activities including mooring, anchoring, running aground, and propeller scarring. Other disturbances like runoff from rivers can reduce water clarity because of increased nutrient pollution and suspended sediments entering our estuaries. Excess nutrient loads can fuel the growth of algal blooms that block light from reaching seagrasses. Climatic disturbances including regional droughts , hurricanes and sea level rise can also affect seagrasses by changing the water conditions. Abnormally low precipitation and the timing of droughts (i.e., summer) can increase salinity and water temperatures and reduce oxygen solubility ; no oxygenation within the sediments allows the buildup of sulfides which is toxic to seagrasses. Hurricanes and tropical storms increase river discharge and runoff, reducing salinities and oxygen and dumping excess nutrients in receiving water bodies. Sea level rise...
Read more