Biodiversity, Distribution and Coverage of Seagrasses in the Myeik Archipelago and Rakhine Coastal Areas, in Myanmar

Abstract

Seagrasses are a relatively small group of submerged flowering plants of approximately 72 species, representing less than 0.1% of the angiosperm taxa growing in shallow coasts of the tropical and subtropical regions. However, about 60% of seagrass meadows globally have been seen reductions in their distribution since 1980 [1,2]. The ecological importance of seagrass beds has been well documented and includes the provision of sheltered habitats and crucial feeding, spawning and nursery grounds for economically important species of marine invertebrates and fish species [37]. Furthermore they are key primary producers, involved in epibenthic and benthic production; provide important nutrients and contaminant filtration, producers of oxygen, recycles of nutrients [8]. However, since 1980 about 60% of seagrass populations globally have seen a reduction in their distribution due to habitat destruction and marine pollution [1,2].