Singapore has officially launched its first seagrass restoration project, aiming to conserve coastal habitats and enhance marine biodiversity. On May 29, a team of researchers began transplanting seagrass at East Coast Park, and the plants were later moved to Sisters’ Islands. This marks the start of a national effort to better understand seagrass reproduction and develop sustainable restoration strategies.
The project, which began in September 2024, is funded by OCBC Bank and co-led by Dr Samantha Lai of the National Parks Board and Dr Ow Yan Xiang of the National University of Singapore. Seagrass meadows are critical for stabilising seabeds, sustaining marine life, and storing carbon. However, the region’s habitats are rapidly declining, with Southeast Asia losing an estimated 5% every year.
Researchers are working on improving transplantation techniques and better understanding the reproductive biology of local seagrass species. Dr. Ow’s research focuses on tropical seagrass flowering cycles, which are often poorly documented.
Dr. Lai’s team pairs donor and recipient sites based on environmental similarities to improve plant life. Despite problems such as tide timing and storms, early signals indicate robust rhizomes, even when leaves are lost. The project also incorporates public volunteers who help with transplant monitoring and create awareness about coastal protection.
