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In addition to their local benefits for people and wildlife, seagrass meadows provide global benefits from storing carbon in coastal sediments. Unfortunately, they are under serious threat.

To help protect these vital ecosystems, we published a scientific analysis in 2022 identifying key areas in North Africa and Southern Europe where seagrass losses due to rising temperatures will have the most damaging effects on people. The work visually mapped locations in the Mediterranean Sea where prolonged sea surface temperature rises will cause long-term damage to seagrass by 2050.

The mapping makes it easier for policymakers to understand where seagrass meadows are at risk so they can put mitigating measures in place. The information that was generated was fed into an integrated Mediterranean Sea Observing System that will provide the knowledge required for decision-makers to design and implement European maritime policies, environmental policies and international agreements. It will also help effective restoration and conservation efforts to be better prioritized.