Istanbul University Launches AI Project to Protect Endangered Seagrass
AI and Drone Technology for Coastal Conservation
Istanbul University’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Management has launched a project to monitor endangered seagrass meadows using artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and drones. The initiative aims to strengthen the protection of fragile coastal ecosystems.
The project focuses on seagrass meadows threatened by rising sea temperatures, marine pollution, coastal development, and uncontrolled boat anchoring. Researchers will combine remote sensing data with underwater dives to verify findings.
Pilot Areas in Western Türkiye
The initiative, called the Pasalimanı Island Harmanlı Bay Project, targets pilot sites along the Balıkesir coast in the Marmara and Aegean seas. Scientists hope to develop practical and sustainable methods for monitoring and conserving Posidonia oceanica meadows using advanced technologies.
Importance of Seagrass Meadows
Professor Cem Gazioglu, director of the institute, said seagrass meadows are vital to coastal ecosystems because they absorb carbon, produce oxygen, and provide habitats for many marine species.
Marine biologist Selahattin Unsal Karhan explained that seagrasses are flowering plants, not seaweeds. “They have roots, stems, and leaves, and they produce seeds. They are closely related to land plants, not algae,” he said.
He added that Posidonia oceanica is endemic to the Mediterranean and often called the “lungs of the Mediterranean.” It supports about 25% of the region’s marine species and plays a crucial role in oxygen production and carbon storage.
The institute emphasized that seagrasses grow very slowly, meaning that damage from human activity or environmental stress can take decades to repair. Early detection and continuous monitoring are essential to protect these ecosystems.
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