I an hoping to make a series of tapestry weavings as part of a Seagrass project and I wanted to find out more about its restoration. I learned so much about its environmental importance.
Seagrasses are the world’s only marine flowering plant and their meadows are sometimes referred to as the ‘Prairies of the Sea’. They form large dense underwater gardens, hosting over 1000 species of fish and providing shelter for many endangered marine species and are an important food source for larger animals. Research indicates there are twice as many marine species in seagrass, compared to non-seagrass sites.
Seagrass meadows are also vital in the fight against climate change because of their ability to absorb and store vast amounts of carbon (up to 35 times faster than in rainforests). They clean our coastal waters, protect against erosion, produce oxygen, absorb greenhouse gases and keep the ocean healthy. Seagrass meadows occupy only 0.2% of the seabed, yet are responsible for 10% of the carbon stored in the ocean, but over the last century 92% of the UK’s seagrass meadows have disappeared due to dredging, pollution and disease.
I found my first seagrass on holiday in Islay this summer. I was surprised at how long and slender its leaves are and its vivid colours. It is a very beautiful plant as well as a critical one to our environment.
My tapestry materials included recycled fishing line (appropriately green!), made from used pieces of plastic fishing line.