Keeping you up to date with Project Seagrass news and views with a mixture of field notes and commentary on seagrass and marine conservation topics.
A major global study using teabags as a measuring device shows warming temperatures may reduce the amount of carbon stored in wetlands. The international team of scientists buried 19,000 bags of green tea and rooibos in 180 wetlands across 28 countries to measure the ability for wetlands to hold carbon
The tropical coastlines of Southeast Asia are home to some of the most important and biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. However, they are also among its most vulnerable, with areas of coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds under increasing threat from a wide range of human activities. To
In autumn 2024, Teigan joined the teams at Project Seagrass and Swansea University to undertake a PhD exploring the influence of water quality on greenhouse gas emissions from seagrass. Teigan’s PhD forms part of Accelerate Seagrass, a collaborative program with Climate Impact Partners, Deloitte, and the National Oceanography Centre to
Seagrass Restoration Efforts to restore seagrass marine habitat at our two restoration sites on the Isle of Wight began in March and April this year under the Solent Seascape Project. A total of 132,000 seeds and 2,160 transplants have been planted across the two sites. There are plans to continue this
Following scientific trials in 2019, in 2020 many seagrass seeds were planted in Dale, supported by the community, school children and local organisations. Since planting, the seagrass area has been reseeded several times to infill gaps and support it as it develops. Despite some setbacks, the restoration area is now
Restoration Forth aims to restore seagrass meadows and native oysters into the Firth of Forth, to create a healthier coastline for people and nature. Find out more about the project here. We’ve reached 30,000 oysters! October was a busy month for the Restoration Forth oyster team. We had an absolutely
In September 2024, Project Segrass welcomed Finn, Grace, and Heather as our interns for the 2024-25 academic year. Finn and Heather have joined us as interns from the University of St Andrew’s and Grace has joined us from Swansea University. In this interview Finn, Grace, and Heather share their experiences
In 2024, Project Seagrass launched a new Fragment Walk initiative on the Isle of Wight to support community-based seagrass restoration as part of our work in the Solent. Seagrass Fragments Seagrass meadows are sensitive habitats which can be easily uprooted. As a result of storms or other disturbances, fragments of
Two new studies call for clear framework conditions for CO2 sequestration in coastal areas, including a digital twin for projections and an independent body for certification and new legal structures for monitoring. The two papers led by researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon were recently published in Environmental Research Letters and Elementa. So-called “blue carbon ecosystems”
Seagrasses are special: they are the only flowering plants that have returned to sea from land. They are also known as the “lungs of the oceans” because of their ability to photosynthesize. And with the exception of Antarctica, they can be found on all continents, where they form extensive underwater
Are you an early-career researcher interested in seagrass conservation, people–nature relationships, and the future of coastal sustainability? Project Seagrass is keen to hear from potential applicants to the 2026 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships programme. We welcome ideas spanning climate resilience, restoration ecology, water quality, biodiversity, blue carbon, genetics and connectivity,
This summer, members of the Project Seagrass team were on the Isle of Wight as part of our annual seagrass seed collection efforts: Seed Collections This year, our seagrass seed collections on the Isle of Wight took place in Yarmouth and Ryde. Seeds were collected through a combination of SCUBA
Between 2022 and 2025, the Seagrass Ocean Rescue: Solent project brought together scientists, practitioners, stakeholders, and local communities to explore the potential for seagrass restoration and conservation across the Solent. Funded by WWF and delivered in partnership with Project Seagrass, Swansea University, and Liz Earle, the project laid critical foundations
New study shows coastal users can provide valuable insights that strengthen restoration planning and long-term project success Fishers and anglers possess valuable local knowledge that can help identify suitable locations for seagrass restoration, new research published by Project Seagrass shows. The study, conducted along the South Wales coastline, found that
Dale Bay on a summer’s day bustles with a community in motion. Yachts bob on their moorings, a group explores rockpool life on the shore, holiday makers catch crabs from the pontoon and a local fishing boat putters out to check on shellfish pots. Setting off from the slip way,
Priory Bay in the Isle of Wight supports important seagrass meadows that provide a home for marine life as well as supporting healthy coastlines. The bay is also of great value for boating and recreation, and a popular summer anchorage. This project is exploring ways to protect the seagrass in
