2024 | Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Richard K. F. Unsworth, Sieglinde Wallner-Hahn, Lavenia Ratnarajah, Pedro Beca-Carretero, Elmira Boikova, James C. Bull, Rosa M. Chefaoui, Carmen B. de los Santos, Karine Gagnon, Joxe Mikel Garmendia, Francesca Gizzi, Laura L. Govers, Camilla Gustafsson, Elitsa Hineva, Eduardo Infantes, João Canning-Clode, Marlene Jahnke, Periklis Kleitou, Hilary Kennedy, Stefania Klayn, Tiia Moller, João Monteiro, Nerea Piñeiro-Juncal, Emanuele Ponis, Vasillis Papathanasiou, Dimitris Poursanidis, Riccardo Pieraccini, Oscar Serrano, Ana. I. Sousa, Susanne Schäfer, Francesca Rossi, D. Sebastian Storey, Marieke M. van Katwijk, Dave Wall, Emma A. Ward, Robert Wilkes
Seagrass ecosystems are vital for biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. In Europe, seagrass distribution has declined due to factors like poor water quality, coastal modification, and climate change. Current research and conservation efforts are fragmented and biased, leading to inadequate information for effective management. This study identifies 100 priority questions for advancing seagrass conservation in Europe using a Delphi method. Experts from across Europe participated in formulating questions, voting, and an online workshop to finalize the list. The questions cover nine themes: Biodiversity & Ecology, Ecosystem Services, Blue Carbon, Fisheries Support, Drivers, Threats, Resilience & Response, Monitoring & Assessment, Conservation & Restoration, Governance, Policy & Management, and Communication. Answering these questions will fill knowledge gaps and support the recovery of seagrass ecosystems. The study highlights the need for coordinated research, improved monitoring, and policy integration to ensure the long-term conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows in Europe.Seagrass ecosystems are vital for biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. In Europe, seagrass distribution has declined due to factors like poor water quality, coastal modification, and climate change. Current research and conservation efforts are fragmented and biased, leading to inadequate information for effective management. This study identifies 100 priority questions for advancing seagrass conservation in Europe using a Delphi method. Experts from across Europe participated in formulating questions, voting, and an online workshop to finalize the list. The questions cover nine themes: Biodiversity & Ecology, Ecosystem Services, Blue Carbon, Fisheries Support, Drivers, Threats, Resilience & Response, Monitoring & Assessment, Conservation & Restoration, Governance, Policy & Management, and Communication. Answering these questions will fill knowledge gaps and support the recovery of seagrass ecosystems. The study highlights the need for coordinated research, improved monitoring, and policy integration to ensure the long-term conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows in Europe.