Arizona State University researchers have completed the first global map of seagrass, a critical ecosystem for capturing and storing carbon. The study provides a baseline for understanding how much carbon seagrass meadows hold and where they are located, which is essential for conservation and carbon credit projects. Seagrass meadows are among the most efficient natural carbon sinks on the planet, but until now there was no comprehensive global map. This new data could help countries and companies identify high priority areas for protection and restoration, and support the development of blue carbon credits. The mapping also reveals how much seagrass has been lost and where restoration efforts could have the biggest impact on emissions reduction.
