Oh, Cod! Disappearing Seagrass!

Photo credit: www.futuretimeline.net 

Seagrass is disappearing at an alarming rate.

In the past two decades alone approximately 30,000 square kilometers of seagrass ecosystems have vanished from our oceans. That’s eighteen percent of the global seagrass meadows!

Being one of the most important coastal habitats, this disappearance is not only bad news for marine life, but for you as well (if you enjoy seafood).

Seagrass meadows provide a critical habitat for marine life, giving them a shallow-water home to grow and mature in before heading out to the open ocean.

One specific species that have suffered from the lack of seagrass ecosystems is the Atlantic cod. Atlantic cod was known throughout history for its economical value, but recently drastic population decline has plagued this population. The extent to which the disappearances of meadows and cod are related has yet to be quantified, but scientists and researches have discovered that young cod have a better chance of survival if they spend their early years in seagrass habitats. It also appears that Atlantic cod intentionally choose these meadows as nursing grounds if they are available.

Atlantic cod is just one species suffering from the loss of these meadows. 2.5 acres of seagrass can support approximately 80,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates.

Vanishing at a rate of 1,500 square kilometers per year, diminishing seagrass meadows directly impacts thousands of species of marine life, biodiversity, and the ability to maintain sustainable seafood sources.

Source: www.theecologist.org