Caribbean seagrasses are vital ecosystems that provide many services to society, such as storm protection, fish habitat, and carbon storage. However, these ecosystems are under threat from climate change and other human activities.
A new study has estimated that Caribbean seagrasses provide about $255 billion in services to society annually, including $88.3 billion in carbon storage. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, used a global database of seagrass ecosystem services and applied it to the Caribbean region.
The researchers found that seagrasses store about 1.3 billion tons of carbon in their soils, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of 900 million cars. Seagrasses also help prevent coastal erosion, filter pollutants, and support biodiversity and fisheries.
However, seagrasses are declining worldwide due to climate change, coastal development, pollution, and overfishing. The study warns that losing seagrasses could have severe consequences for the environment and human wellbeing.
The authors suggest that seagrasses should be included in national and regional policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as marine conservation and management. They also call for more research and monitoring of seagrass ecosystems in the Caribbean.
