Invaders or Allies? The Role of Exotic Seagrass in Carbon Storage

Exotic plants are rapidly transforming coastal ecosystems that are already under pressure from environmental change. Scientists do not fully understand how local grazers, such as sea turtles and fish, respond to these newcomers, how their feeding interacts with plant-associated microbes, and how these combined interactions affect ecosystem stability and carbon storage. This project dives into the world of seagrass meadows, combining large-scale underwater mapping, grazing experiments,  and fine-scale microbial analysis. By comparing regions with different invasion histories, the research will reveal how marine communities respond to invasion and provide practical insights for managing exotic species and protecting natural carbon stores.

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