RIYADH: Scientists have discovered 34 previously unknown seagrass meadows in the Red Sea by tracking the foraging behavior of green turtles.
The findings were revealed in a study published by researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Queensland Government in Australia.
This study highlights the benefits of observing turtles to map marine ecosystems critical for carbon capture and economic sustainability, offering valuable data for developing sustainability policies for the Red Sea region, according to a statement from KAUST.
Seagrass, along with mangroves and salt marshes, plays a vital role in absorbing “blue carbon” — carbon stored by coastal vegetation — at rates more efficient than rainforests.
Despite this, it is estimated that only 10 percent of global seagrass areas have been identified, as satellite-based surveys, though effective in shallow areas, fall short in accuracy for deeper regions.
By tagging 53 green turtles in the Red Sea, scientists were able to track their natural foraging paths, which led to the discovery of these previously hidden seagrass meadows.
This expanded the mapped seagrass coverage in the region by nearly 15 percent. Remarkably, the turtles proved to be about 20 times more accurate in identifying seagrass areas than the widely used Allen Coral Atlas, especially in deeper waters.
Green turtles also offer a more cost-effective approach to mapping marine vegetation.
According to Prof. Carlos Duarte, Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor at KAUST and lead researcher on the study, traditional methods such as aerial surveys with hyperspectral and LiDAR sensors cost tens of millions of dollars, whereas tagging turtles costs less than 1 percent of that amount.
Prof. Carlos Duarte, Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor at KAUST. (Supplied)
“Countries need reliable, accurate data to make good policies for environmental protection, which also safeguards their economies. Our study provides crucial data for the Red Sea and supports the conservation strategies and blue carbon programs of the countries along its coasts,” Duarte said in a statement.
