"Seagrasses are flowering plants with roots, stems and leaves. They produce seeds and are evolutionarily related to terrestrial plants, not algae," Karhan said.
He added that five seagrass species are found in the Mediterranean, with Posidonia oceanica being endemic to the region. Often referred to as the "lungs of the Mediterranean," the species plays a critical role in oxygen production and carbon storage, supporting the life cycles of roughly 25% of marine species in the Mediterranean.
The institute warned that seagrasses grow extremely slowly, meaning damage caused by human activity or environmental stress can take decades to recover, underscoring the importance of early detection and continuous monitoring.
