Low-lying atoll nations' vulnerability is linked to carbonate sediment production by marine organisms. Seagrass meadows, often near reef islands, have been overlooked as sediment sources. This study combines field, satellite, and sedimentological data to quantify sediment production by seagrass epibionts at Huvadhoo Atoll, Maldives. Total production was 853,000 ± 90,000 kg CaCO3 yr-1 over 1.1 km2, with 541,000 ± 23,000 kg CaCO3 yr-1 suitable for reef island building (sand-sized). This highlights seagrass meadows as significant sources of reef island-building sediment, supporting a strong argument for seagrass conservation.

Holly K. East, Jamie A. Johnson, Chris T. Perry, Grace Finlay, Azim Musthag, Hussein Zahir, Matthew Floyd