Seacology’s new nationwide initiative will bring much-needed attention to an undervalued but critically important coastal ecosystem: seagrass.

Like mangrove forests, seagrass is known as a “blue carbon” ecosystem because it pulls  enormous amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, storing it in its biomass and in the seafloor. Seagrass is an even more powerful carbon sink than mangroves, storing up to 15 times more greenhouse gas, acre per acre,than any terrestrial forest. Seagrasses grow in shallow water along coastlines, providing habitat for small fish and crustaceans, and a source of food for sea turtles, manatees, and other marine life. They are also essential for filtering pollutants out of the water, and protecting coastlines, reducing erosion and loss of life from ever-worsening hurricanes.

Greece is home to thousands of islands and the Mediterranean’s longest coastline, which provides ample habitat for Posidonia oceanica, an endemic species of seagrass. Posidionia is the foundation of the Greek marine environment, which in turn supports an economy that depends on fisheries and tourism.  Even after seagrass plants die, they are important—the piles of leaves that accumulate on shorelines (called “banquettes”) help dissipate waves and protect coastal communities.

Unfortunately, Posidonia meadows are disappearing all around Greece. In some areas, as much as 80% of seagrass cover has been lost. Unregulated anchoring from the heavy boat traffic  rips up Posidonia meadows, which are slow to recover. Many people see banquettes as unsightly and remove them from beaches. Climate change-related temperature rise, ocean acidification, and invasive species have compounded the threats to Posidonia ecosystems. 

Because many of the benefits of these underwater plants are out of sight, they have also been out of mind. A program to raise awareness about the importance of seagrass is urgently needed.

In partnership with the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) and other Greek NGOs and institutions, the Greek Islands Seagrass Alliance will launch extensive public outreach, including:

• Partnerships with schools and training for educators across the country. 
• Traditional and social media placements reaching millions of residents and visitors.
• Working with stakeholders, focusing on boating and fishing communities, tourism professionals, and others to protect and promote seagrass ecosystems.

This effort  follows a successful partnership between Seacology and CPF in the Northern Cyclades Islands. Our other partners in the national initiative include the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), the Ionian Environment Foundation (IEF), the Argosaronic Environment Foundation (AEF), and Aenaos Thalassa.