Seagrasses

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Context (DTE): Seagrass meadows are rapidly expanding near inhabited islands in the Maldives.
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants. They are not true grasses and are more closely related to terrestrial lilies and gingers than grasses.

They often grow in large groups giving the appearance of terrestrial grassland – an underwater meadow.
They have roots, stems and leaves and produce flowers and fruits. They are the only flowering plants that can live underwater.
They are found in salty and brackish waters from the tropics to the Arctic Circle.

They thrive in shallow coastal waters where there is shelter from drying winds, wave action, and strong currents.
The depth of seagrass is usually controlled by the availability of light for photosynthesis.
Seagrasses reproduce through both sexual and asexual methods.
Important seagrasses: Sea Cow Grass, Thready Seagrass, Needle Seagrass, Flat-tipped Seagrass, etc.
In India, Seagrasses occur all along the coastal areas of India and are abundant in the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.

Significance

Globally, seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, accounting for 10-18% of total ocean carbon storage despite covering less than 0.1% of the seafloor.
They reinforce coastal protection by protecting the coast from damaging storms and erosion by dampening the force of waves.
They are called ‘the lungs of the sea’ as they release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis.
They help maintain water quality. They trap fine sediments and suspended particles in the water column and increase water clarity.
Seagrass habitats protect juvenile and small adult fish from large predators.
Seagrass leaves support seaweeds by providing anchoring facilities. Seahorses and lizardfish are found living in seagrass meadows almost throughout the year.