Near-coastal seagrass ecosystems

Abstract

Seagrasses are the only marine-submerged angiosperms, and there exist approximately 60 species of seagrasses, worldwide. Tropical and temperate seagrass ecosystems are markedly different. Temperate seagrasses are larger and beds are denser. Temperate seagrasses respond to seasons and water temperature whereas tropical seagrasses, although also responding to seasons, i.e., wet and dry, do not show growth correlations with changes in water temperature. Globally many seagrass beds have been lost, and many more are threatened by human activities; protection is vital. Reduced light (due to eutrophication of coastal regions and sediment disturbance) is the single most important cause of seagrass loss.