Recent observations from the European Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites have unveiled surprising seasonal changes in seagrass growth along the western coasts of Europe and northern Africa. This study, funded by the European Space Agency under the Biodiversity of the Coastal Ocean (BICOME) program, was conducted by researchers from Université de Nantes.
The focus of the research was the intertidal zone, the coastal area between low tide and high tide, where extensive seagrass meadows typically thrive. These marine plants provide critical habitats, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for various bird, fish, and invertebrate species, while also stabilizing sediments and protecting coastlines from erosion.
Using high-resolution images from the Sentinel-2 satellites, researchers were able to distinguish between intertidal zones and permanently submerged areas, a significant advancement over previous studies. The findings revealed that seagrass range peaks could shift by as much as five months, challenging prior assumptions that seasonal variations were minimal.
This study highlights the potential of satellite observations in tracking changes in coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for effective monitoring methods to protect these delicate environments amid alarming biodiversity loss.