In this guided review, you will learn about submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and its impact on the environment, including the organisms they sustain. In the following resources, you will find information about SAV, the unique ecosystem they create, the other benefits they provide, and why it is vital to protect this essential habitat.

Students explore the importance of submerged aquatic vegetation and seagrass, how to identify them, why they are in decline, and how they can be restored.

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.

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).

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.

Submerged aquatic vegetation is one of the most productive fish habitats on earth. We work to protect this important habitat, ensuring that it remains healthy and has a chance to thrive.

The ability of natural ecosystems to sequester significant amounts of organic carbon provides a good example of an ecosystem service that can be used in climate mitigation programs on local and regional scales. These mitigation programs may reduce the potential impact of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere that are directly and indirectly driving climate change.

Seagrass-Watch Global Seagrass Observing Network (established in 1998) partners scientists with citizens to accurately monitor the status and trends in seagrass condition. The network has conducted over 5700 assessments at 418 sites across 26 countries, involving thousands of dedicated participants.

Seagrass ecosystems are hugely important for the Bahamas for so many reasons! Watch this interesting lecture from Forfar Field Station Educational Staff on Andros Bahamas as they explain why this is an invaluable ecosystem and outline the research project undertaken at Forfar with the Smithsonian to help preserve Seagrass meadows.

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