Various Data – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Topic Key

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Ecological Importance

Future Predictions

SE Louisiana Focus

Identifying Tropical Seagrass

Source: Seagrass Watch

"Seagrasses are a functional group, not a taxonomic group, of angiosperms (flowering plants), i.e. various seagrass families do not necessary have to be closely related."

 

 

The Magic of Seagrass

Source: The Ocean Agency

"Seagrass certainly doesn't get the interest and protection it deserves. That's why we've created this officially endorsed Ocean Decade Toolkit providing key facts, imagery and other tools needed to help create awareness and inspire action."

 

 

SAV Education

Source: University of Maryland 

This online data viewer provides user-friendly access to SAV education. The tool summarizes general change trends  and provides tables, maps, and reports.

What is seagrass

Source: Seagrass Watch

"Since the time of the dinosaurs, four groups of flowering plants (angiosperms) colonised the oceans. Known as ‘seagrass’, they are the only flowering plants that can live underwater. More closely related to lilies and gingers than to true grasses, they grow in sediment on the sea floor with erect, elongate leaves and a buried root-like structure (rhizome)."

 

 

Why is Seagrass Important

Source: Seagrass Watch 

"Seagrass provides food and shelter for many organisms, and are a nursery ground for commercially important prawn and fish species. The high primary production rates of seagrasses are closely linked to the high production rates of associated fisheries."