Zeegrasvelden - FlooraFauna

Seagrass meadows

Seagrass beds provide a home and protection for numerous species. More than a thousand species depend on seagrass for their survival. There are no fewer than 72 different types of seagrass found worldwide. Some fields are even so large that they are visible from space. Seagrass is a natural filter, capturing sediment and suspended particles. The leaves of seagrass catch suspended particles, while the complex roots trap sediment, making the water clearer. In addition, seagrass beds can prevent coastal erosion by absorbing waves and slowing currents. There are two types of seagrass in the Netherlands: Small seagrass and Large seagrass.

Nursery

Seagrass leaves provide a surface for fish and snails to lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch it is also ideal for finding food and protection for those young.

Protection

Seagrass is the perfect camouflage for many fish, snails and crabs. Not only is seagrass good for hiding, it also protects against strong currents.

CO2 sink

Seagrasses absorb carbon up to 35 times faster than the Amazon rainforest and store 10% of global carbon in the ocean. Even though they cover less than 1% of the ocean floor.

Biodiversity

Seagrass meadows have many residents and visitors. More than a thousand species depend on seagrass meadows. For example, some rare and endangered seahorses prefer this habitat. Seagrass is the perfect camouflage for many species including pipefish and seahorses. Algae and invertebrates such as crabs serve as food for nearby and migrating fish. In addition to food and camouflage, seagrass beds also provide the perfect place for breeding. The 15 spined Stickleback and the Two-spotted Goby are two fish that use this as a nursery. Seagrass leaves provide a surface for fish and snails to lay their eggs and dense shoots create the right habitat for seahorses and pipefish to reproduce.

All
Mollusc
Fish
Crustaceans
Polychaeta

Cuttlefish illustration common in eelgrass

Common cuttlefish – Sepia officinalis

The common cuttlefish has eight arms that are ideal for catching prey. They eat crabs, small fish and amphipods. They can change color and pattern just like octopuses.

European eel – Anguila anguila.

European eel grows up in inland freshwater and then moves to the sea. They migrate all the way to the Sargasso Sea in the Caribbean to breed. The eel larvae then float back to the European coast and after a metamorphosis they move into the freshwater rivers.

15 Spined stickleback, a fish illustration

15-Spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia

Male sticklebacks build their nests with seaweed fragments and a kind of glue that they produce with their kidneys. The female then lays up to 200 eggs and dies afterwards. It is then up to the male to protect the eggs.

Grey seal – Halichoerus grypus

The gray seal spends a large part of his time hunting for fish and if he doesn't, he rests on the beach or sandbank, so he can hunts again.

2- spotted goby, fish in seagrass meadows

2-Spotted goby - Gobiusculus flavescens

The 2-Spotted goby swims in groups between algae and seagrasses for plankton and other floating food.

nudibranch illustration common in eelgrass

Spotted sea hare - Aplysia punctata

The Spotted sea hare is a grazer that likes to feed on seaweed and seagrass beds. They use their radula, their tongue, to tear seaweeds. They eat up to 1/3 of a body weight per day!

Snake piperfish - Entelurus aequoreus

The Snake pipefish loves seagrass! The grasses give these fish perfect camouflage for their scrubby striped bodies. This keeps them safe from larger fish and seabirds.

Broad-nosed snouted piperfish - Symgnathus typhle

The Snake pipefish loves seagrass! The grasses give these fish perfect camouflage for their scrubby striped bodies. This keeps them safe from larger fish and seabirds.

Lugworm - Arenicola marina

Lugworms are common burrowing worm and are therefore an important food source for many different animals such as fish and birds. They also have a clever way of surviving. The part that sticks out above the ground, and is often cut off, can grow back!

Short-snouted seahorse - Hippocampus hippocampus

This is one of the seahorses that uses seagrass beds for its reproduction! They have no teeth and simply suck in their favorite prey: amphipods and plankton.

Short-snouted seahorse - Hippocampus hippocampus

This seahorse lives in shallow waters and uses its tail to hang on to seagrass or seaweed so that they are not pulled away by the current. They are not very good swimmers!

Common periwinkle - Littorina littorea

The Common Periwinkle uses its foot to hold on to stones, algae and seagrass. The snail feeds on algae and uses its radula or tongue to scrape and tear it off.

Spire snail - Ecrobia ventrosa

The Spire snail can be spotted sitting on seagrass and crawling on the sandy bottom

Sand mason worm - Lanice conchilega

This worm lives in a self-built tube consisting of grains of sand and shell pieces. The tentacles protrude above the tube and the worm uses them to catch algae and dead organic material.

Common shore crab - Carcinus meanus

This crab eats everything it finds from seagrass to mussels and barnacles to other small crabs.