News Ecosystems

Seagrasses boost ecosystem health by fighting bad bacteria

Underwater meadows of flowering plants clean oceans near island shores

seagrass

NATURAL CLEANERS  Seagrasses, flowering plants that grow in shallow seas, can decrease bacterial contamination in the surrounding water.

Joleah Lamb

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

BOSTON — For a lawn that helps the environment — and doesn’t need to be mowed — look to the ocean. Meadows of underwater seagrass plants might lower levels of harmful bacteria in nearby ocean waters, researchers reported February 16 during a news conference at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.