Significance of Seagrass Meadows along Kenya's Coastline

Seagrass meadows along Kenya's coastline are crucial carbon sinks, playing a significant role in carbon sequestration. A 2016 study by Harcourt et al. (2018) estimated Kenya's total seagrass cover at approximately 317.1 km². Worryingly, these vital ecosystems have been declining at an average annual rate of 0.85% since 1986, with the pace of loss accelerating from 0.29% per year between 1986 and 2000 to a concerning 1.59% annually from 2000 to 2016. This decline has potentially resulted in the release of up to 2.17 teragrams (Tg) of carbon over 30 years.

'Seagrass meadows are the unsung heroes of our ocean—they not only provide critical habitats for marine life but also store vast amounts of carbon, quietly fighting climate change beneath the waves. Protecting them isn't just about conserving biodiversity. It's about securing our planet's future.' Explained Dennis Otieno. The primary drivers of seagrass loss in Kenya include increased fishing pressure and coastal development. Addressing these challenges through sustainable fishing practices and robust conservation efforts is essential to preserve these vital seagrass meadows and their critical carbon sequestration capabilities.