Threatened seagrasses store more carbon than terrestrial forests

Recent research shows that coastal seagrasses can store more carbon in their soils than temperate and tropical forests. Seagrasses store 90 percent of their carbon in the soil, and account for over 10 percent of all sea carbon. Scientists in the study said that seagrasses could become effective carbon sinks if their numbers are restored – they are a threatened ecosystem. More than 29 percent of seagrass meadows have been destroyed, mostly due to human activity. Seagrasses also provide filtration and buffer coastlines against storm surges.

Read more at the National Science Foundation website.

Image credit: Miami University of Ohio.