'Lungs Of The Sea' Must Be Protected, Lost Of Seagrass Is Bad News, Experts Warn

As the human population increases the global warming effects also shoot up. Even the most important organism living underwater is being ignored by humans and this causes them to die. The "lungs of the sea" or seagrass need protection as researchers found out that human activity is responsible for its loss.

Seagrass is responsible for providing food and shelter for a huge range of animals that includes fish, birds, and marine mammals. It is called the lungs of the sea for it has an ability to generate oxygen through photosynthesis. Thus, experts say the loss of seagrass is not an option.

Over 100 scientists from 28 countries joined hands in protecting seagrass meadows. This research team all see the importance of seagrass, hence they decided to conduct a study about it. They have seen that vast amount of seagrass meadows was destroyed.

Seagrass is a marine powerhouse, so why isn't it on the world's conservation agenda? https://t.co/vIKuZxUBCs pic.twitter.com/vDHNKPyVwX

— Oceana (@Oceana) October 11, 2016

In the study, the team of researchers surveys 11 sites in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The result is disturbing, because of all the areas only two are having a healthy seagrass meadow. The rest of the meadows show high nitrogen level in the water, which is the result of dying seagrass.

In line with this, the team also surveyed all the shallow waters of coastal regions in every continent excluding Antarctica. The shocking discovery awakens them as seagrass meadow is decreasing at a rate of two percent every year globally. The coast of the British Isles alone, the researchers found evidence of damage caused by human disturbance and pollution.

The team of researchers called for action and it was led by Dr. Richard Unsworth of Swansea University. They stated that "There is no international legislation for seagrass, therefore protection typically happens at a local or regional level."

The team warned that the death of seagrass meadows will treat the population of green turtles, seahorse, and dugong. Not only the seagrass is important to marine life, humans also benefit from them. The livelihoods of millions of people will be at risk and levels of poverty will rise, especially for those who lives near the coastal area, according to BBC News.