Guest Blog: Smart Marinas Are Investing in Seagrass And Why YOU Should, Too
- NCI Team
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
A guest article by Anna Eigel, Senior Sophister Student, Business, Economics, Political Science and Sociology (BESS), Trinity College Dublin.
A Trinity College Dublin module, The Business of Nature Positive, co-ordinated by NCI's Dr Catherine Farrell, Assistant Professor, Business and Nature in Trinity Business School, explores ways for final-year undergraduate business students to support the transition to nature positive in the private sector. We are delighted to share a guest article by Anna Eigel on the role of seagrass in protecting coastal areas. Thanks to Grace Aspell of Trinity School of Natural Sciences who reviewed the article spotlighting the importance of these habitats globally.
Why seagrass matters
Seagrass meadows may be hidden beneath the water's surface, but they are among the world's most valuable natural assets. These underwater flowering plants help protect coastlines from erosion, improve water quality, provide habitat for marine life, and store significant amounts of carbon.
Despite the many benefits they provide, seagrass ecosystems are declining globally due to human activities such as coastal development, dredging, anchoring and other marine disturbances.
Their loss highlights an important natural capital message: when nature declines, so too do the benefits and resilience it provides to society and the economy.
In her article, Anna Eigel explores the growing recognition of seagrass as a form of natural infrastructure, the risks associated with its decline, and the opportunities that exist through protection and restoration initiatives. She also examines how nature-positive approaches can create value for businesses and coastal communities while supporting biodiversity and climate goals.
The themes explored in Anna's article align closely with work being undertaken through REBORN, a transnational project funded by the Interreg North-West Europe Programme (Interreg NWE) that aims to unlock large-scale seagrass restoration in North-West Europe as a Blue-Green Infrastructure and natural capital opportunity. As a REBORN partner, Natural Capital Ireland helps communicate the value of seagrass ecosystems and promotes understanding of the benefits they provide for biodiversity, climate resilience and human wellbeing.
Download Anna's full article below to learn more about the business case for seagrass conservation and the role these remarkable ecosystems can play in a nature-positive future:
Are you an Irish researcher working on natural capital, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, nature finance, or related topics?
Natural Capital Ireland welcomes opportunities to showcase research that advances understanding and application of natural capital approaches in Ireland. If you would like us to share your work with our network, please get in touch with our team at info@naturalcapitalireland.com