Many Polynesians believe that each island plant or animal has a counterpart in the ocean. Although some might dismiss this simply as myth, island forests indeed have such a counterpart: seagrass communities.

Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow below the water in intertidal areas and along coastlines where they serve as nurseries for fish, turtle, manatee, dolphin, and dugong communities. Years ago, I became fascinated with how seagrasses are pollinated, and studied them around the world. I found that Halodule in Fiji produces noodle-like pollen at low tides that float in rafts on the surface. In Indonesia the male flowers of Enhalus rise to the sea surface where they are captured by the floating petals of the female flowers. On the island of St. Croix, I discovered that Syringodium plants release their pollen underwater, a case of true submarine pollination.

In the early 20th century, seagrasses were of economic importance. Swedish crystal was wrapped in the leaves that fell off Zostera plants. In North America, Zostera leaves that washed up on the beaches were used as insulation. The superb acoustical qualities of Carnegie Hall were bolstered by insulating panels filled with seagrasses. And they have never been more important than today, because they sequester more carbon per area than any other vegetation type on earth.

But seagrass ecosystems are quickly disappearing: over half of the world’s seagrass is already gone. Just as we partnered with Sri Lanka to protect mangrove forests along their coasts, Seacology is now working to protect seagrasses throughout the islands of Greece. We are working with our nonprofit partners to teach Greek schoolchildren, tourists, and boaters how to protect these unique ecosystems. This national program follows on Seacology-funded projects to protect seagrasses in the Philippines, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, and the San Juan Islands.

If you want to see the importance of seagrass populations firsthand, Seacology’s travel programs represent a unique opportunity. In September we will be running our first trip to Croatia, which will visit Seacology-funded projects on islands in the Adriatic Sea. In October, Seacology will be running a trip to Greece to visit several islands to see various Seacology-funded projects under the new Greek Islands Seagrass Alliance.

Seacology is a bright light for villagers who seek to protect their own island environments. Thank you for helping us to join with them in this inspiring endeavor.

Sincerely,

Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D.
Chair, Seacology