Subsea Robotics for Innovative Ecosystem Engineering

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Nature based solutions for net zero goals create and restore new and existing ecosystems for the purpose of enhanced carbon sequestration – reducing net carbon emissions. Scotland’s current nature-based solutions focus primarily on urban space, peatlands, woodlands, and agriculture. However, it is noted that the marine environment in Scottish waters represents greater carbon sequestration opportunity than terrestrial carbon sinks – this case is not unique among climate focused nations.
 

Seagrass meadows are the lungs of the ocean and could be a key player in reaching net-zero targets earlier than planned. Seagrass meadows are capable of sequestering carbon at a rate of up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. They also provide numerous benefits for marine biodiversity, acting as nurseries for commercially important fish like cod and herring as well as being a primary food source for IUCN red list species such as the green sea turtle and the manatee.

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Unfortunately, they are also some of the most endangered ecosystems on earth, with 92% of seagrass being wiped out along the British coastline over the last century. Due to the operational challenges of marine environments compared to land-based ecosystem restoration, current seagrass restoration methods are costly and time consuming. Currently it takes 2,000 volunteer of six months to plant one hectare of seagrass, with costs of over £200,000.

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