Seagrass meadows are among the most vital yet overlooked ecosystems on our planet. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores a new 19-year study from Moreton Bay, Australia, which shows that seagrass coverage and diversity are declining over time despite short-term recovery periods. This long-term research reveals that while short-term studies might show seagrass bouncing back after storms or floods, the bigger picture tells a story of gradual loss and ecological transformation.

The episode also highlights why this decline matters: seagrass meadows are nurseries for fish, homes for turtles and dugongs, and major carbon sinks that help buffer climate impacts. Andrew connects the findings to global conservation lessons. He introduces The Seagrass Effect, a new project and podcast dedicated to sharing research, restoration stories, and action opportunities for protecting seagrass ecosystems worldwide.

Do you want more seagrass content? Help Fund the Seagrass Effect Podcast: https://www.speakupforblue.com/seagrass

Chapters:
00:00 – The beauty and mystery of seagrass meadows
00:38 – Why seagrass decline in Moreton Bay matters
01:05 – Launching The Seagrass Effect podcast and crowdfunding campaign
02:20 – Why seagrass deserves more attention than it gets
04:45 – Personal snorkeling story from Grand Cayman and the hidden biodiversity of seagrass
06:40 – Why seagrass meadows often outperform coral reefs in biodiversity
07:30 – Overview of the 19-year Moreton Bay seagrass study
09:00 – Description of Moreton Bay’s geography and ecology
10:40 – Long-term findings: what decreased and what shifted
12:05 – How long-term studies differ from short-term ones
13:10 – Decline in seagrass cover, species richness, and habitat quality
14:30 – The link between seagrass health, carbon storage, and biodiversity
15:45 – What the researchers recommend to restore seagrass
17:10 – Improving water quality and catchment management
18:00 – Protecting healthy meadows and managing disturbances
19:00 – Supporting active restoration and long-term monitoring
20:20 – Introducing The Seagrass Effect restoration mission
21:10 – How listeners can help by donating or spreading awareness

#oceanconservation #MarineBiology #SaveOurOceans #ProtectTheOcean #OceanAwareness #BluePlanet #ConservationMatters #ScienceForChange #SustainableOceans
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