By FITTE-DUVAL Océane and GIBOYAU Taylor-Anne

The Seagrass

What is it ?

Seagrass are flowering plants that grow entirely underwater.

Its roots ( or rhizome ) are anchored in the sand.

We can find them in salty water and fresh water.

*In Martinique*In Martinique, seagrasses cover

approximately 4.974 ha (about 11% of coasts)

*The coast of south half of the island, between “Anse d’ Arlet” and the bay of Robert, represents the biggest areas of seagrasses.

Seagrass in the bay of Mulet- Vauclin

*The seagrases of the island essentially consist of Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) and of threadlike Syringodium (manatee grass)

Turtle grass

Manatee grass

What is Its role in the sea?

seagrass hosts a lot of species like: fish, Queen conch , Edible Urchin, long-spined Urchin, three-rowed- sea cucumber , sea cat…

It products oxygen , some food to the species

Species can reproduce , feed , live in herbarium : it’s a nursery

Few species …..

*

Queen Conch

Edible urchin

Three –rowed sea- cucumber

Long-spined Urchin

Cushion Star

Peacock Flounder

Hawksbill Turtle

Sea Cat

Spottle Eagle Ray

*Disturbance factors

Risk of disparition because of :

Natural disturbances

human pollution

Poaching

Anchorage

Few ways to protect seagrasses

Track poachers by Sea police men

Learn how to anchored boats

Reduce human waste in the sea

Sortie pédagogique au Vauclin Anse des Mulets – Avril 2014