A recent study has highlighted the significance of seagrass meadows across the Caribbean in providing services worth $255 billion to society every year. The region’s seagrass meadows are responsible for housing up to half of the world’s seagrasses by surface area.
They contain around one-third of the carbon stored in seagrasses globally, which alone amounts to $88.3 billion in carbon storage.
The findings of the study demonstrate how crucial seagrass meadows are to the Caribbean ecosystem and their contribution to providing various services, including storm protection to fish habitat.
Apart from their ecological importance, seagrass meadows provide a number of economic and social benefits to human society. They provide habitats for commercially important species like conch and lobster, support fisheries, and act as nurseries for fish and other marine species.
Seagrass meadows also help protect coastlines from erosion and offer recreational opportunities like snorkeling and diving.
In light of this recent study, it is clear that seagrass meadows in the Caribbean are a valuable resource that must be conserved and protected.
It is predicted that the value of seagrass meadows will continue to increase as the demand for carbon storage services increases with the growing concerns over climate change.
This research also highlights that policies, which support seagrass conservation and restoration, should be prioritized to ensure that these meadows continue to provide vital ecosystem services for future generations.
Edited by Zeng Han-Jun
Written by Juliana Rodriguez
Terra Link Research 