Eelgrass may look simple, but it plays a powerful role in the fight against climate change. This underwater plant grows quietly along coastlines, often unseen and overlooked. However, scientists now recognize eelgrass as one of nature’s most effective climate allies. After decades of decline, it is slowly returning in several regions, showing how nature can recover when people work with it instead of against it.
The ocean plant quietly storing massive carbon
Eelgrass is a flowering plant that grows underwater in shallow coastal areas. It thrives where rivers meet the sea, such as estuaries and tidal bays. Because it needs sunlight, it grows close to the water’s surface. Its long green blades move gently with waves and currents.
Eelgrass grows along the coasts of more than 190 countries. In Canada, it is the most common type of seagrass. Similar meadows exist across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Although eelgrass covers only about 0.2 percent of the ocean floor, it delivers an outsized benefit. Seagrasses store nearly 10 percent of all the carbon held by the world’s oceans. Even more striking, they capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
Eelgrass absorbs carbon dioxide from both the water and the atmosphere. It then locks that carbon into its roots and the surrounding seabed. Over time, layers of sediment bury this carbon, keeping it trapped for centuries. Because of this process, eelgrass helps slow the buildup of greenhouse gases.
Beyond carbon storage, eelgrass protects coastlines. Its roots hold the seabed together and reduce erosion. At the same time, the leaves slow waves and soften the impact of storm surges. As a result, coastal areas become more resilient to extreme weather.
Eelgrass also supports marine life. Fish, crabs, and shellfish use the meadows as safe nurseries. In addition, eelgrass improves water quality by trapping particles and clearing the water. Clearer water allows more sunlight to reach the seabed, which further supports plant growth. Despite these benefits, eelgrass remained largely unnoticed for years. As a result, many meadows disappeared before people understood their true value.
Why eelgrass nearly disappeared from the seas
Over the past 150 years, seagrass meadows around the world have shrunk by nearly 30 percent. Today, eelgrass continues to disappear at an alarming rate. Every second, an area roughly the size of a football field vanishes.
Climate change stands out as a major cause. Rising ocean temperatures stress eelgrass and limit its ability to grow. In addition, warmer water holds less oxygen, which weakens plant health. Ocean acidification further alters water chemistry, making survival harder. Stronger storms also play a role. Powerful hurricanes and storm surges rip them from the seabed. When storms churn up sediment, they block sunlight. Without enough light, eelgrass cannot survive.
Disease has caused severe damage as well. Seagrass wasting disease has wiped out large portions of eelgrass in several regions. In some areas, the disease destroyed more than half of the existing meadows within a few years. Invasive species add another layer of pressure. For example, the European green crab burrows into the seabed while feeding. As it digs, it uproots eelgrass and leaves bare patches behind.
Human activity worsens these natural stressors. Coastal construction clouds the water with sediment. Pollution from farms and cities increases nutrient levels, which fuels algae blooms. These blooms block sunlight and smother eelgrass. Meanwhile, overfishing disrupts ecosystems that normally keep seagrass habitats balanced.
Over time, these combined pressures pushed eelgrass to the brink. Many coastal residents noticed the change firsthand. Areas once filled with thick green meadows turned empty and lifeless.
How community-led restoration brought eelgrass back
Even after years of loss, small signs of recovery began to appear. In some estuaries, people spotted a single eelgrass plant growing where none had survived before. That discovery offered proof that recovery was still possible. In response, community groups partnered with scientists to restore eelgrass meadows. First, they studied local conditions such as water depth, temperature, and salt levels. Then, they carefully selected donor plants from nearby waterways.
Restoration teams transplanted eelgrass shoots directly into the sediment. This process required precision and patience. Even small differences in salinity could cause failure. Despite the risk, volunteers pressed forward.
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Community members played a key role. They entered shallow waters together, planting eelgrass by hand. This hands-on approach helped people reconnect with their local environment. It also turned restoration into a shared effort rather than a distant scientific project.
Within a year, the results became clear. The restored meadow expanded rapidly. New shoots spread outward, increasing the planted area several times over. The seabed once again filled with green blades. On the opposite coast, similar efforts began with small test plots. Restoration teams planted eelgrass along island shorelines and monitored its progress. To improve success, they introduced new methods.
In one approach, teams pushed seeds deeper into the seabed using special tools. In another, they attached seeds to shells. As shellfish burrowed naturally, they helped bury the seeds and mix nutrients into the sediment. This process improved oxygen flow and increased survival rates. Meanwhile, long-running restoration projects along the U.S. East Coast continued to rebuild meadows lost decades ago. Volunteers collected eelgrass shoots each spring. After careful preparation, they returned the seeds to coastal waters. Over time, these efforts rebuilt entire ecosystems.
Across all these projects, one fact remains consistent. It can recover when people reduce stressors and offer support. By combining science with community action, restoration efforts have allowed this quiet climate defender to surge back into coastal waters.
