Climate Impact: Shading & Grazing Raise Methane & Sulphide in Seagrass beds

What is it about?

This study looks at how disturbances like shading and simulated grazing affect a tropical seagrass meadow's ability to store carbon and their impact on the climate. The results showed that these disturbances caused an increase in methane emissions and sulphide concentration, which could be due to the degradation of belowground biomass supporting bacteria that produce methane and sulphide. The loss of seagrass due to human activities could have a significant impact on the environment.

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Photo by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program on Unsplash

Photo by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study highlights the crucial role of seagrass meadows in storing carbon and reducing the effects of climate change. Seagrasses are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet and have the ability to absorb and store large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. However, disturbances like shading and grazing can cause the loss of seagrass biomass and lead to an increase in methane emissions and sulphide concentration. With the ongoing loss of seagrass areas due to human activities, it is important to understand how these disturbances impact the environment and work towards preserving and restoring seagrass meadows for their critical role in mitigating climate change.