KAUST Unveils Study on How Green Turtle Tracking Helped Discover Red Sea Seagrass Meadows

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has unveiled a groundbreaking study demonstrating how satellite tracking of green turtles’ foraging behavior led to the identification of 34 new seagrass meadows in the Red Sea.
 The study, conducted in collaboration with Queensland's Department of Environment and Science in Australia, was published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. It underscores the potential of monitoring turtle behavior to enhance understanding of vital marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, which are key carbon sinks. This research supports conservation efforts for blue carbon resources and informs Red Sea sustainability policies.
 Scientists tracked 53 green turtles, following their foraging journeys to uncover insights into the previously unknown seagrass sites. The discovery increased the total number of reported seagrass meadows in the Red Sea by nearly 15%.
 The study revealed that green turtle tracking provides almost 20 times greater accuracy in identifying seagrass meadows compared to the Allen Coral Atlas, an online resource mapping benthic habitats. This advantage is attributed to the ability of seagrass in the Red Sea to grow at depths of up to 70 meters, far exceeding the range of traditional mapping methods, which are typically limited to depths of less than 5 meters.
 Carlos Duarte, Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and lead author of the study, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of using green turtles for tracking. He explained that technologies like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Hyperspectral Imaging can cost tens of millions of dollars, whereas equipping sea turtles with tracking systems costs less than 1% of these high-tech alternatives.
 Duarte emphasized the importance of accurate data in developing effective environmental policies and conservation strategies. He noted that the study offers critical insights into the Red Sea’s marine ecosystems, aiding countries in creating blue carbon programs and sustainability initiatives.
 Seagrasses, mangroves, and salt marshes are among the most efficient ecosystems for capturing blue carbon, outperforming rainforests in their carbon storage capabilities. These ecosystems have an estimated economic value in the tens of billions of dollars.
 Despite the ecological importance of seagrass meadows, consistent mapping efforts remain insufficient, particularly in the Red Sea. The study suggests that the current inventory of seagrass meadows is far from complete.
 By combining advanced space technology with natural navigators like green turtles, the study demonstrates a transformative approach to assessing and protecting critical marine environments with greater accuracy and efficiency.