Global Distribution of Seagrasses (Polygons)
Seagrass is found on all continents except Antarctica, covering roughly 0.1% of the ocean floor. However, its global extent remains inadequately mapped, with estimates varying between 160,387 km² and 670,000 km², posing a significant challenge for conservation efforts. The UNEP-WCMC seagrass dataset indicates that Africa harbors approximately 12% of the world’s seagrass.
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Source
Suggested citation
UNEP-WCMC, Short FT (2021). Global distribution of seagrasses (version 7.1). Seventh update to the data layer used in Green and Short (2003). Cambridge (UK): UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Data DOI: https://doi.org/10.34892/x6r3-d211
License
Date or time period of observation
2021
Frequency of Update
Geographic coverage
Spatial resolution
Vector
WMS base URL
https://africa-knowledge-platform.ec.europa.eu/geoserver/gwc/
Legend URL
https://africa-knowledge-platform.ec.europa.eu/geoserver/wms?REQUEST=GetLegendGraphic&VERSION=1.3.0&FORMAT=image/png&WIDTH=20&HEIGHT=20&transparent=true&LAYER=akp:seagrass_p_s
Layer Data Type
Geospatial server type
Contact Point
UNEP-WCMC
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