A Scoping Review of Seagrass Meadows as Foundation Ecosystems Linking Biodiversity, Carbon Sequestration and Coastal Resilience

Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow in shallow coastal waters and form dense underwater meadows crucial to marine ecosystems. These meadows play a vital role in stabilizing sediments, supporting fisheries as nursery habitats, and providing shelter for diverse marine species, including endangered sea turtles. Seagrasses also contribute significantly to blue carbon sequestration by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures such as pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and climate-driven stressors including rising seawater temperatures. Conservation measures, including the establishment of marine protected areas, habitat restoration, legal protection, and sustainable fisheries management, are therefore essential for ensuring the long-term persistence of seagrass ecosystems. This study aims to explore the complex ecological interactions within seagrass meadows and to develop innovative conservation strategies that address emerging threats and promote the sustainability of these vital marine habitats.