Seagrass: Need of the hour
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
N/A
Proposal
The ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. Seagrass has a significant contribution to this. Seagrass are flowering plants that grow entirely underwater. Seagrass is the only true plant that can live completely submerged underwater. There are around 60 species of seagrasses that grow in salty and brackish (semi-salty) waters around the world, typically along gently sloping, protected coastlines; where they get enough sunlight for photosynthesis. Seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. There is not enough data or research on seagrass to benefit from it. Seagrass is depleting at a fast rate and restoration itself is a problem because of fewer data, more manual intensive & high cost of projects. Usually, a batch of seeds is packed in a small jute bag and dumped onto the water bed. Only some turn into seedlings i.e., less efficiency. There are problems in each of collection & storage, plantation, and monitoring.We need more mechanized ways to help in the mass scaling of seagrass across water bodies. Our research and proposed methods support integrated solutions that are connected to each stage of the restoration focusing mostly on collection & plantation with cost-effectiveness. It’s high time to look for opportunities with marine life for a sustainable climate and seagrass is our only best solution
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Seagrass: Need of the hour
The ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. Seagrass has a significant contribution to this. Seagrass are flowering plants that grow entirely underwater. Seagrass is the only true plant that can live completely submerged underwater. There are around 60 species of seagrasses that grow in salty and brackish (semi-salty) waters around the world, typically along gently sloping, protected coastlines; where they get enough sunlight for photosynthesis. Seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. There is not enough data or research on seagrass to benefit from it. Seagrass is depleting at a fast rate and restoration itself is a problem because of fewer data, more manual intensive & high cost of projects. Usually, a batch of seeds is packed in a small jute bag and dumped onto the water bed. Only some turn into seedlings i.e., less efficiency. There are problems in each of collection & storage, plantation, and monitoring.We need more mechanized ways to help in the mass scaling of seagrass across water bodies. Our research and proposed methods support integrated solutions that are connected to each stage of the restoration focusing mostly on collection & plantation with cost-effectiveness. It’s high time to look for opportunities with marine life for a sustainable climate and seagrass is our only best solution