Sadie Entwistle: Why the UK needs to plant more seagrass and protect what we already have. Projecting carbon stocks and storage rates of a UK subtidal seagrass bed

We are joined by Sadie Entwistle (MSci Marine Biology) to discuss a fascinating research project "Why the UK needs to plant more seagrass and protect what we already have. Projecting carbon stocks and storage rates of a UK subtidal seagrass bed" In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast, Sadie joins us to discuss the hidden potential of seagrass ecosystems in mitigating climate change. We address how seagrass restoration as a nature-based solution can be used to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water). The importance of the seagrass beds in storing atmospheric carbon for decades to centuries is explored, as well as why the UKs seagrass ecosystems are needing protection under a changing climate and increasing human disturbance.Sadie’s research project titled “Projecting carbon stocks and storage rates of Zostera marina beds, Studland Bay, UK” provides novel estimates of the amount of carbon stored per year, and across the entire meadow, at Studland Bay (Dorset, UK). She takes us through the rationale for the research, how the project was born, and the methods used to obtain results using the ICUN’s Blue Carbon Manual. We discuss how these results differ from the few existing studies found elsewhere in the UK, and what this may mean for the future of seagrass restoration.You can explore Sadie’s research further by accessing her Linkedin for a full PDF of the study. Sadie Entwistle - www.linkedin.com/in/sadie-entwistle-082673395For more information of the methods used, please follow the link to the ICUN’s Coastal Blue Carbon Manual:https://iucn.org/content/coastal-blue-carbon-manualGuest: Sadie Entwistle, MSci Marine BiologyHost: Prof Simon KempProducer & Editor: Jack DinhamThe Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2026 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.