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Seagrass and mangrove restoration Puerto Rico

Seagrass is a wonder plant. It takes carbon from the atmosphere up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. Sadly, seagrass, which is found in shallow waters of coastal regions, has been declining globally at a rate of about 7% a year since 1990 – we must reverse this trend. Planting and protecting seagrass meadows is one of the most effective ways we can tackle climate change. Mangroves another critical "blue carbon" ecosystem, store up to five times as much carbon, in their biomass and soils, as tropical upland forests. Mangroves - estimated since the 1950's to have decreased globally by 50% due to land use changes - are critical to protect and restore with a diverse array of holistic benefits to coastal habitats; acting as biodiversity hotspots with a vibrant array of species from shellfish to fish species finding shelter amongst their roots as juveniles. Whilst they are key to adaptation and resilience from increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, acting as natural barriers and stabling coastlines.