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The global distribution of seagrass meadows

McKenzie, Len J., Nordlund, Lina M., Jones, Benjamin L., Cullen-Unsworth, Leanne C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9134-7266, Roelfsema, Chris and Unsworth, Richard K. F. 2020. The global distribution of seagrass meadows. Environmental Research Letters 15 (7) , 074041. 10.1088/1748-9326/ab7d06

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Abstract

Seagrass meadows globally are under pressure with worldwide loss and degradation, but there is a growing recognition of the global importance of seagrass ecosystem services, particularly as a major carbon sink and as fisheries habitat. Estimates of global seagrass spatial distribution differ greatly throughout the published literature, ranging from 177,000 to 600,000 km2 with models suggesting potential distribution an order of magnitude higher. The requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement by outlining National Determined Contributions (NDC's) to reduce emissions is placing an increased global focus on the spatial extent, loss and restoration of seagrass meadows. Now more than ever there is a need to provide a more accurate and consistent measure of the global spatial distribution of seagrass. There is also a need to be able to assess the global spread of other seagrass ecosystem services and in their extension, the values of these services. In this study, by rationalising and updating a range of existing datasets of seagrass distribution around the globe, we have estimated with Moderate to High confidence the global seagrass area to date as 160,387 km2, but possibly 266,562 km2 with lower confidence. We break this global estimate down to a national level with a detailed analysis of the current state of mapped distribution and estimates of seagrass area per country. Accurate estimates, however, are challenged by large areas remaining unmapped and inconsistent measures being used. Through the examination of current global maps, we are able to propose a pathway forward for improving mapping of this important resource.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Biosciences
Sustainable Places Research Institute (PLACES)
Additional Information: Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
ISSN: 1748-9326
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 18 March 2020
Date of Acceptance: 5 March 2020
Last Modified: 05 May 2023 23:25
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/130446

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