Photograph by Yiannis Issaris

KEY Figures

1

More than 50 species of fishes (including many traded commercial species) live inside the Posidonia habitat. The role of nursery is highly important for many species. It is a refuge and breeding place for more than 400 plant species and 1,000 animal species.

2

Seagrasses are able to fix as much carbon as the forest (more than 5 t equivalent CO2 per ha per yr.) and 20 to 25 % is trapped in the meadow for thousands of years (major carbon sink).
Carbon stocks in the dead meadows are 10 times higher than the stock present in the forest soil

3

2.5 m height of dead meadows takes 4000 years of history.

4

Every year, Posidonia seagrasses absorb for 0,6% of CO2 emissions of the Mediterranean countries, but this rate can be higher locally (Tunisia = 15-20 % ; Corsica = 14,4%).

Posidonia
Photograph by OCEANA / Carlos Minguell © LIFE BaĦAR for N2K

5

It helps to preserve the beaches: The Posidonia beds decrease by 20 % the power of the swell.

6

The economic value of Posidonia Habitat is highly important and is estimated around 50 000 euros / ha / year. Many millions of euros are locally spent every year to protect and manage Posidonia areas.

7

The growth of the dead meadows is around 1 mm per year (1 m per century maximum). Once destroyed, it cannot be recovered.

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