Vodafone Foundation and University of Patras Collaborate to Map and Protect Vital Posidonia Seagrass Meadows

Vodafone Foundation and University of Patras Collaborate to Map and Protect Vital Posidonia Seagrass Meadows

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone Foundation Greece, in partnership with the Oceanus Lab at the University of Patras, has initiated the Vodafone Posidonia program to map and safeguard the crucial Posidonia seagrass meadows off the Greek coast. These underwater meadows, often referred to as ‘the lungs of the Mediterranean,’ play a vital role in the marine ecosystem by providing habitat for marine life, reducing coastal erosion, absorbing carbon dioxide, and producing significant amounts of oxygen. The project, starting with mapping the seagrass in the Aegean Sea near the island of Syros, employed advanced sonar systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, and unmanned surface vehicles to capture detailed seabed data. The data collected will help scientists gain insights into the seagrass, its health, and the environmental threats it faces, including anchor scars and invasive algae. The initiative aims to create a digital platform called ‘Citizen Science’ that allows the public to contribute to the protection of Posidonia meadows and monitor the marine environment in real-time. This effort is crucial in the face of climate change and ecological challenges, as Posidonia seagrass meadows provide a refuge for numerous marine species, protect the coastline from erosion, and have a substantial impact on carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 23-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Off the Greek coast are underwater meadows of Posidonia seagrass. Often referred to as ‘the lungs of the Mediterranean’, these unique endemic species are vital to the sea’s ecosystem. They create a valuable home for marine life, limit coastal erosion, absorb carbon dioxide and produce large amounts of oxygen.

Working with the Oceanus Lab at the University of Patras, Vodafone Foundation Greece is helping to map these precious underwater meadows.

Mapping seagrass

The Vodafone Posidonia programme started with mapping Posidonia in the Aegean Sea, around the island of Syros in September.

Advanced sonar systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles were used to capture the texture and footage of the seabed, creating robotic mapping. Vodafone’s network ensured the systems could communicate and that data was easily transmitted.

A total of 41.10 square kilometres of seabed in this area has now been mapped, up to about 50 metres deep, and 30 underwater shots were carried out around the island within 10 hours.

Off the Greek coast are underwater meadows of Posidonia seagrass. Often referred to as ‘the lungs of the Mediterranean’, these unique endemic species are vital to the sea’s ecosystem. They create a valuable home for marine life, limit coastal erosion, absorb carbon dioxide and produce large amounts of oxygen.

Working with the Oceanus Lab at the University of Patras, Vodafone Foundation Greece is helping to map these precious underwater meadows.

Mapping seagrass

The Vodafone Posidonia programme started with mapping Posidonia in the Aegean Sea, around the island of Syros in September.

Advanced sonar systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles were used to capture the texture and footage of the seabed, creating robotic mapping. Vodafone’s network ensured the systems could communicate and that data was easily transmitted.

A total of 41.10 square kilometres of seabed in this area has now been mapped, up to about 50 metres deep, and 30 underwater shots were carried out around the island within 10 hours.

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SOURCE: VODAFONE