A new study from Yale and NUWAT suggests that dugongs significantly increase the carbon capture capacity of seagrass ecosystems. In Bahrain, these marine mammals may help seagrasses capture over 546,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, effectively doubling the storage potential compared to areas without them. This research highlights the importance of integrating megafauna into blue carbon strategies. By protecting dugongs and their habitats, conservation efforts can simultaneously support biodiversity and enhance the ocean's natural ability to mitigate climate change.
