Seagrasses are flowering plants found in shallow marine waters all around the coasts of Scotland, from the great firths of the east to the sea lochs and islands of the west. There are two true species of seagrass in Scotland (Eelgrass and Dwarf eelgrass).

The underwater meadows that seagrass form provide a myriad of benefits:

• Essential habitat for a number of different species, boosting biodiversity to help achieve Scotland’s target to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.
• Shelter for many species, including rare species such as native oysters.
• Critical nursery grounds for key fisheries species such as Atlantic Cod, Herring, and Plaice.
• An important food source for wildfowl such as the wigeon.
• Rapidly sequesters carbon faster than many terrestrial habitats – this habitat can significantly contribute to net zero ambitions.
• Stabilising the seafloor by trapping sediment and knitting together the seabed through their roots – this helps to prevent erosion, flooding, and storm damage.
• Acting as natural filters – filtering, cycling, and storing nutrients and pollutants out of water thereby improving water quality. 
• Help to prevent diseases for people and marine wildlife by reducing pathogenic marine bacteria by up to 50%

Seagrass meadows are a Priority Marine Feature, UK Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat and an OSPAR threatened and declining habitat. They are protected in 26 locations around Scotland within Marine Protected Areas but have been subject to significant historic loss and remain threatened.

Images: (C) Charlotte Goodlett; WWF-UK; Maverick Photo Agency