Why posidonia should be protected
The Mediterranean nurseryPosidonia, a Mediterranean emblem
Few people have a positive thought when they first discover these “heaps of seaweed” abandoned on the beach… And yet, we must learn to cherish posidonia, which are far from being what we might imagine at first glance.
First of all, posidonia is not a seaweed, but an underwater grass. Underwater, we speak of seagrass beds, or even Posidonia forests. It’s an endemic plant: you won’t come across it anywhere else but in the Mediterranean. These leaves can measure up to 1 meter by 1 centimeter.
While it can be found stranded on beaches in winter, forming a “bank” that can grow to several dozen centimetres in height, seagrass grows on beach edges in shallow water. It can be found at depths of up to 40 meters, the last threshold for capturing the sunlight needed for its development.
The power of posidonia
Posidonia are extremely effective in combating the disappearance of beaches. Without them, the sand would be washed away by the waves. They act as shock absorbers when waves hit the shore, preventing sand from dispersing into the sea. It’s in all our interests to keep the posidonia on our beaches.
feeding posidonia
Spawning grounds, nurseries, larders: Posidonia meadows are essential to the maintenance and development of underwater life. More than 1,000 underwater species shelter here, including shellfish and fish such as sea urchins, girelles, red mullets… A spawning ground where juveniles (young fish) grow up in safety, the Posidonia forest watches over Mediterranean underwater life.
posidonia and air
Posidonia also have a tremendous impact on the Mediterranean: also known as the “lungs of the Mediterranean”, Posidonia produce oxygen (thanks to photosynthesis) in a volume that can be greater per square meter than that produced by the Amazon rainforest.
Posidonia, the protector of seabeds and shores
Despite its unappealing appearance at first glance, it’s essential to ensure the conservation of Posidonia both on the beach and underwater.
Once you’ve got over the “surprise”, what a joy it is to walk on the posidonia banks and discover their gentle bouncing effect. Children make no mistake: you’re sure to come across some of them doing improbable jumps and rolls between two mounds!
Underwater, the Posidonia meadows are the ideal observation ground for snorkeling trips. And what a panorama! Watching the sun filter through the grasses and underwater landscapes is a poetic experience.