The status of seagrass beds in the coastal county of Lamu, Kenya

A comprehensive assessment of seagrass beds in Lamu Old Town, Kenya, revealed that nine out of the twelve seagrass species found in Kenya were present in six study sites. The research identified Thalassodendron ciliatum as dominant in deeper subtidal areas, while pioneering species thrived in shallower intertidal zones. Shoot densities varied significantly, with Syringodium isoetifolium showing the highest density (1025.9 ± 139.3 shoots m-2) and Halodule ovalis the lowest (0.1 ± 0.1 cm). The study also found that these seagrass sites serve as refugia for adult invertivorous fish populations, despite lower biodiversity compared to similar mangrove-fringed areas like Gazi Bay. This first-of-its-kind assessment provides critical baseline data for marine spatial planning and sustainable development in Lamu County.

Uku, J., Daudi, L., Alati, V., Nzioka, A., & Muthama, C. (2021). The status of seagrass beds in the coastal county of Lamu, Kenya. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 24(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.14321/aehm.024.01.07