As creatures that live on land, we know there are always plants on our left and right. But, what happens under the sea there? Why are there plants under the sea? Is there any forest under the sea like on land?
Why are there plants under the sea?
Yes, so, all this time we might think that it is the surrounding plants that can provide the fresh air we breathe. But it turns out that almost fifty to eighty-five percent of the oxygen intake that we breathe does not come from the surrounding plants. Then, from where?
Yup, where else if not from the sea? Marine plants are the plants that contribute the most oxygen to the earth’s atmosphere. Marine plants also absorb the most carbon dioxide gas. The greenhouse gas that is behind the increase in the average temperature on earth.
When the condition of the Earth is increasingly threatened by increasing average temperatures in recent decades, countries in the world through the United Nations have finally established the Carbon Balance through the largest agreement in human history: the “Paris Agreement”.
Thus, perhaps the tremendous carbon sequestration ability of marine plants could be mankind’s main key to tackling rising temperatures! But since we talked about marine plants, where can they be found?
Unlike on land, where we can see a lot of plants scattered in the forest, garden, or our grandmother’s yard, we may find it difficult to see marine plants. Because they are hiding in the microscopic form!
Although most of them are in microscopic form, there are still some that we can see with our own eyes! Here’s Seagrass! Although it is often confused with seaweed because it is similar, and less popular among coastal protection plants. Seagrass is the only true plant that can live submerged in seawater!
The Greatness of Seagrass
Due to the evolution and adaptation process of the ancestors of seagrass plants, seagrasses that had grown on land were finally able to live in coastal areas. Seagrass popularity may still be inferior to mangroves. But the greatness of seagrass that grows between mangroves and coral reefs is not to be questioned!
Although occupying a small area together with mangroves, seagrass contributes to carbon sequestration of almost 50% of the total carbon sequestration in the world by absorbing carbon levels in the atmosphere and trapping it in sediments.
In addition, this unique plant, the only one that lives in the sea, is an ideal place for marine animals to grow and develop. That’s great too!
Well… this great seagrass can also be a sign of a clean environment with its existence because it is prone to damage, seagrass becomes one of the reminders of us who like to damage the environment.
Unfortunately, Indonesia, which is the owner of the second-largest seagrass field in the world, is experiencing some pretty terrible seagrass damage, so we just have to choose whether to keep it or leave it.
