Seagrass is a vital part of aquatic life, especially around the coast of Scotland; likened to a rainforest, it provides habitats and food to thousands of species. Helping to reduce the impact of climate change by absorbing CO2 from the water, seagrass filters impurities from the water, similar to clams and muscles, helping to control water quality. Seagrass is a buffer protecting coastal regions from erosion and subsequent retreat by reducing wave velocity. Since the 1930s, aquatic plant populations have declined rapidly, with 92 per cent of the plants being “lifeless seabeds,” as per research by UCL.
However, a partnership between the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has led to funding for several projects in and around the Scottish coast, including East Kintyre and the Shetlands, managed by four organisations. The projects are set to spend a staggering £2.4 million on planting 34.6 acres of seagrass, this “wonder plant” will help provide for 8,000+ species over the 18,000km of coastline. These projects are being funded between 2023-2028.
The resultant seagrass will help combat the growing issue of coastal erosion around the Scottish borders and protect our declining sea life. The initiative intends to revitalise the Scottish marine life population by taking in more pollutants from the seawater and, as a result, the atmosphere, ultimately contributing to the growing green movement.
Photo by Benjamin L. Jones on Unsplash