Advertisement

Study into one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems along the Studland Bay

Sparus II autonomous underwater vehicle. Picture: University of Southampton and the University of the Balearic Islands
Sparus II autonomous underwater vehicle. Picture: University of Southampton and the University of the Balearic Islands

A team of researchers are working to look into the health of vital seagrass in Studland Bay.

Seagrass meadows are one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems and play an important role in supporting the ecosystems at the Purbeck beauty spot.

The scientists and engineers will conduct a series of surveys over the summer using state-of-the-art monitoring technologies, such as camera equipped robotic submersibles and autonomous boats to map the seagrass and monitor their recovery from past anchor damage.

By building a comprehensive picture of the bay and its sub-tidal habitats, the scientists will be able to better advise on the implementation of nature-based solutions at Studland and identify safe, un-vegetated access routes for vessels.

Seagrass forms the habitats for a diverse range of sealife including sea bass, sea bream and even the spiny seahorse, and may also play an important role in reducing the impact of erosion within the bay.

The seagrass reduces the energy of waves and tidal currents and traps nutrients and sand particles that would otherwise be washed away.

Even their roots help to bind sediment together making it harder to erode.

All these effects contribute to improving the resilience of the sandy beaches of Studland Bay, which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year.

In addition to local benefits, seagrasses are also highly effective at capturing and storing carbon within the sediment.

Despite occupying less than 0.2% of the world’s seafloor, they account for 10% of all the carbon that gets buried in ocean sediments and are a major asset for mitigating climate change.

Dorset Echo: PicoCAT autonomous surface vehicle which will be used to map the bathymetry and seagrass extent within Studland Bay. Picture: University of Southampton
Dorset Echo: PicoCAT autonomous surface vehicle which will be used to map the bathymetry and seagrass extent within Studland Bay. Picture: University of Southampton

The team from the University of Southampton is working with organisations from the Studland Bay Marine Partnership, including the national trust and supported by the Dorset Coast Forum to assess the extent and health of the seagrass beds in the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone.

The Studland Bay Marine Partnership involves conservation organisations, boat users and local community groups working together to help protect the seagrass by installing ‘eco-moorings’ within Studland Bay.

These are designed to reduce boat anchor damage and so allow the seagrasses and local biodiversity to thrive whilst maintaining the vibrant sailing and recreational activities within the bay.

Ten eco-moorings have been deployed so far, with support from boat-folk and the Seahorse Trust, with plans to eventually install 100 eco-moorings.