A new global seagrass study reveals shocking insights into the failure of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to shield critical ocean ecosystems from human pressures.
A groundbreaking international study led by Project Seagrass, and published in Environmental Research: Ecology, has unveiled one of the most comprehensive global maps of human threats to seagrass meadows—vital ecosystems that support marine biodiversity, coastal fisheries, and blue carbon storage.
Despite being located inside designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), many seagrass meadows remain vulnerable to a range of threats. The findings raise urgent questions about the effectiveness of global marine conservation strategies.
Seagrass Meadows: Silent Heroes of the Ocean
Seagrass meadows play a crucial role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. They act as nurseries for fish, stabilize sediments, improve water quality, and help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon. However, these ecosystems are now under siege from human activities, including:
- Coastal development
- Pollution and nutrient runoff
- Destructive fishing practices
- Aquaculture
- Boating and anchoring damage
Shocking Discovery: Protected Areas Aren’t Always Safe
The research, involving data from more than 1,000 citizen scientists across 1,200 seagrass sites in 86 countries, revealed that over 50% of the surveyed seagrass meadows facing human pressures are located within MPAs.
“Marine Protected Areas are supposed to safeguard biodiversity,” said lead author Dr. Benjamin Jones. “But what we’re seeing is that protection on paper doesn’t always translate into protection on the ground.”
The study found that 4.4% of global MPAs still harbor seagrass under significant threat, signaling the urgent need for stronger implementation of conservation policies.
High-Resolution Global Threat Map Now Available
Using crowd-sourced data submitted to SeagrassSpotter.org, researchers created a high-resolution global map pinpointing regions where seagrass meadows are most at risk. Threat hotspots include:
- Southeast Asia
- The Mediterranean
- The Caribbean
Meanwhile, areas with lower human pressure were also identified—offering prime opportunities for proactive conservation.
Call to Action: Strengthen MPA Effectiveness and Expand Protection
Experts emphasize that achieving global biodiversity targets—including the UN’s 30×30 goal (protecting 30% of oceans and land by 2030)—requires more than just drawing boundaries on a map.
“We need smarter marine spatial planning, local threat mitigation, and global cooperation,” said Dr. Richard Unsworth, co-author and researcher at Swansea University.
To align with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the world must prevent the net loss of approximately 3,000 km² of seagrass annually and restore around 95,000 km².
From Threats to Solutions: A Data-Driven Roadmap
The interactive map developed in this study aims to serve policymakers, marine conservationists, and local communities. By clearly identifying at-risk areas, it provides a roadmap for targeted conservation efforts.
“By mapping threats, we’re also mapping solutions,” Dr. Jones noted. “Land-based efforts like better watershed management are just as vital as marine interventions.”
Power of Citizen Science in Ocean Conservation
This research marks the first major publication using data from SeagrassSpotter.org—a citizen science initiative that has empowered thousands of volunteers over the past decade.
Project Seagrass hopes the study will not only inform global policy but also inspire more public participation in protecting our oceans.