Researchers at Arizona State University have produced the first detailed global map of seagrass meadows by combining satellite imagery with artificial intelligence, revealing critical insights on their distribution, health, and conservation status.
- Almost 70% of seagrass meadows are off five countries’ coasts.
- Only 21% of seagrass areas are within marine protected zones.
- AI analysis revealed a 4% loss but also notable recoveries.
What happened
A team of scientists from Arizona State University employed advanced AI techniques combined with satellite data to map seagrass meadows around the world with unprecedented detail. Their study analyzed data over two recent periods, 2019-2020 and 2023-2024, identifying a total seagrass coverage of approximately 148,506 square kilometers (57,340 square miles). This extensive area surpasses the size of England and spans mainly shallow subtidal zones.
This mapping effort is the first of its kind to accurately chart where seagrass exists globally and detect changes over time. The AI was trained with on-site research including underwater imaging, making the findings robust. Among the key revelations was that nearly 70% of this critical underwater vegetation is found near five countries: the Bahamas, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, and Cuba.
Why it feels good
Seagrasses are often overlooked compared to vibrant coral reefs, yet they play a vital role in marine ecosystems as habitats, coastline protectors, and powerful carbon sinks that absorb CO2 much faster than terrestrial forests. Despite facing significant threats from climate change and human activities, the new map provides hope by pinpointing areas where restoration efforts are effective.
For example, improved water quality in places like South Bay, Los Angeles, and regions in Cuba has led to noticeable recovery of seagrass meadows. This comeback demonstrates that with better protection and fewer disturbances, damaged seagrass ecosystems can regenerate rapidly, inspiring optimism for future restoration and conservation.
What to enjoy or watch next
This high-resolution seagrass map offers a powerful tool for conservationists and policymakers to make informed decisions about coastal management and climate mitigation. Currently, about 80% of seagrass loss occurs outside existing marine protected areas, highlighting an urgent need to expand protections based on these new data insights.
Moving forward, the study's authors hope their AI-driven approach will be adopted globally to monitor seagrass health continuously. This will help track the impact of environmental changes and restoration projects, ultimately supporting efforts to safeguard these underwater forests that are crucial for ocean health and climate resilience.