Restore Seagrass Ecosystems
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Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: July 4, 2026
Articles/WebsitesScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article explains seagrass ecosystem restoration as a way to remove carbon from the atmosphere, describing how seagrasses take up carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store some of it in their biomass and in sediments.
- It walks through the benefits, potential risks, cost, and feasibility of the practice, concluding that restoration is worthwhile despite a limited climate impact due to the small area suitable for restoration and varied success rates.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- Use the article as a concise, real-world example of how scientists weigh evidence and reach a classification, and have students trace how the stated benefits and disadvantages lead to the "worthwhile" conclusion.
- Connect seagrass restoration to the broader idea of blue carbon and the role of ocean ecosystems in the carbon cycle.
- Have students evaluate the trade-offs the article names (cost, limited restorable area, ecological co-benefits) as a design-solution problem with criteria and constraints.
Extensions:
- Have students research other climate solutions using the Drawdown Explorer and compare them based on the listed criteria.
- Develop other criteria/constraints that would be useful to determine the feasibility and impact of different climate solutions.
- Use this 2-minute YouTube video to explore blue carbon in relation to the carbon cycle and climate change.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
