The dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are placing unprecedented pressure on ecosystems and human societies.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a promising pathway to tackle these interconnected threats by leveraging the functions of natural ecosystems. Among these, seagrass meadows are increasingly recognised for their exceptional ability to store organic carbon, improve water quality, and protect coastal areas, while also supporting biodiversity and human livelihoods. However, despite their socio-ecological importance, seagrass habitats are in sharp global decline, driven by worsening water quality, destructive fishing practices, and coastal development. In Northern Ireland, key aspects of seagrass meadows, including their condition, carbon storage, and cultural value, are poorly understood, limiting effective conservation and policy action.

My PhD research directly addresses these gaps by delivering the first assessment of sediment organic carbon stocks in Northern Ireland's seagrass meadows and investigating how water quality influences their condition. It also explores the cultural ecosystem services, shedding light on the often-overlooked societal value of temperate seagrass systems. Combining field-based ecological research with social science methods, this interdisciplinary project offers new insights essential for advancing evidence-based conservation and for recognising seagrasses as a locally relevant, yet underutilised, nature-based solution in climate and biodiversity policy.