Large-Scale Seagrass Mapping Initiatives
WIOMSA and its Partners Spearhead Research in Africa
Debra John — March 8, 2025
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), in collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the University of Southampton, has introduced the Large-Scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI), a pioneering effort to enhance the understanding and protection of seagrass ecosystems in the region.
This initiative will create the first field-verified seagrass maps across Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Mozambique, and Madagascar. As vital coastal habitats, seagrass meadows "support marine biodiversity and serve as natural carbon sinks, yet they remain among the least studied and most at-risk marine environments."
LaSMMI will integrate high-resolution satellite imagery with rigorous field validation to produce detailed, scientifically robust maps of seagrass distributions. Focusing on shallow-water ecosystems, this research will generate valuable insights to inform conservation policies, strengthen ecosystem management, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of these critical habitats in the Western Indian Ocean.
