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The ResilienSEA project launches the first West African Seagrass Atlas

Seagrass meadows can be one of our biggest allies in tackling the climate crisis

By GRID-Arendal

September 23^rd, 2022

New groundbreaking work by GRID-Arendal and its partners shows why seagrass is vital for conserving West African biodiversity and protecting its coastline.

After four years of scientific research, data collection, monitoring, capacity building, raising awareness, informing, sensitizing, and advocacy work, the ResilienSEA project team is launching the first seagrass Atlas in West Africa on September 27 online. Register here.

This work was only made possible through the contribution and collaboration of the MAVA Foundation, Wetlands International, the Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa (RAMPAO), and the national implementation teams in all seven countries (Mauritania, Cape Verde, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Sierra Leone).

"We have managed to develop strong local capacity among managers, students, and researchers in the region, and they are now ready to scale up the work and ensure policy changes are enforced to better conserve these underwater treasures."

-Iderlindo Santos, ResilienSEA regional coordinator.

Measuring seagrass canopy height in Senegal. Photo: National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

Field monitoring team in Senegal. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

Clam in dense seagrass bed. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

Aerial drone shot of seagrass bed. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

Members of the Senegal field monitoring team analysing subtidal seagrasses in Delta du Saloum National Park. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

Through strong engagement with local communities, the project has sensitized them to the value of protecting this crucial ecosystem for their livelihood, both in terms of food security and protection against climate-induced sea level rise and storm surges.

"When we started this project in 2018, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Senegal were the only countries in the region to have documented some of their seagrass meadows´ distribution. Four years on, all seven countries have discovered, identified, mapped, and monitored seagrass ecosystems in their pilot sites."

-Olivia Polkinghorne, Associate Expert, Marine Environment at GRID-Arendal.

A new global framework for managing nature sustainably, the Global Biodiversity framework, is under process, but the UN calls for all countries to protect at least 30 percent of land and sea by 2030. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) like the seagrass meadows identified in the seven pilot sites need a strong political and financial commitment for their protection.

Community outreach in Sierra Leone. National Implementation Team of Sierra Leone, 2022.

The Sierra Leone National Implementation Team being trained on the ResilienSEA Database Platform.

Putting West Africa on the global seagrass map

"Now the hope is that decision-makers in the region will act on the policy briefs and recommendations the project has developed, by creating new MPAs, including seagrass conservation into existing MPAs´ management plans, and agreeing to a regional seagrass protocol to protect seagrass meadows across West Africa."

-Marie-Suzanne Traoré, RAMPAO Secretary General.

Zostera noltii, Banc d'Arguin Mauritania. National Implementation Team of Mauritania, 2019.

Seagrass ecosystem in Banc d'Arguin National Park. National Implementation Team of Mauritania, 2021.

Seagrass monitoring in Baia De L'Etoile, Mauritania. Mohamed Ahmed Sidi Cheikh, 2022.

Dense interntidal seagrass bed framed in a quadrat in Banc d'Arguin National Park. National Implementation Team of Mauritania, 2021.

This Atlas tells the ResilienSEA story and shows how much progress has been made since 2018 in each country; the new meadows discovered, the successes and challenges that the project had along the way, and how local capacity has been developed to a point where local experts can work autonomously.

"We are putting West Africa on the global seagrass map, showing the world´s researchers the potential for further work in the region in the coming months and years. This product is a starting point, and with more data and information, we can better protect these vulnerable ecosystems."

-Olivia Polkinghorne, Associate Expert, Marine Environment at GRID-Arendal.

Seagrass hunting in Guinea Bissau. Rob Barnes/GRID-Arendal 2019.

Underwater seagrass meadow. National Implementation Team of Guinea Bissau, 2021.

Sea turtle in Guinea Bissau. IBAP 2019.

Community outreach on the importance of seagrass. National Implementation Team of Guinea Bissau, 2021.

The ResilienSEA project team is excited to launch the atlas on September 27, join us at the event live on Zoom by registering here!

Footnotes

Header image: Members of the Senegal field monitoring team analysing subtidal seagrasses in Delta du Saloum National Park. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

FootNotes

Header image: Members of the Senegal field monitoring team analysing subtidal seagrasses in Delta du Saloum National Park. National Implementation Team of Senegal, 2019.

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