Our Impact

Benefits society and the environment.
Strengthens environmental projects.
Places profit into community projects.
Develops resources to bridge the gap in communication.
Boosts the local economy.

Drone image of seagrass beds in the Isles of Scilly captured by Seadream Environment to support Natural England research.

Seagrass habitats are vital to the health of our marine ecosystems

These underwater meadows provide critical nursery grounds for countless marine species, support biodiversity, and act as powerful carbon sinks—playing a key role in climate resilience and ocean conservation.

Unlike algae, seagrass are true flowering plants with roots, thriving in shallow, clear coastal waters. Their presence is often a strong indicator of good environmental conditions. However, while their existence signals potential health in marine ecosystems, it’s not a guarantee—seagrass meadows are sensitive and can be vulnerable to changes in water quality.

Runoff from agricultural, urban, and industrial sources can threaten these habitats, making them important sentinels of environmental change.

Monitoring for a Healthier Ocean

To deepen our understanding of the link between water quality and seagrass health, we’re undertaking a comprehensive monitoring programme. This includes:

• Water sampling and analysis
• Remote sensing
• Habitat mapping
• By tracking environmental changes over time, we can work toward better protection and restoration of these precious ecosystems.

Integrating Aerial Imagery and Water Quality Analysis for Habitat Conservation

To better protect seagrass meadows, we’re harnessing cutting-edge ortho-mosaic mapping—a technique that stitches together high-resolution aerial images captured by drones to create detailed, georeferenced maps of the seafloor.
 

This innovative approach allows us to:

Track seagrass coverage and density over time.
Detect environmental stressors such as sedimentation and nutrient overload.
Detect environmental stressors such as sedimentation and nutrient overload.
Establish accurate baselines for long-term monitoring and conservation.

Unlike traditional in-water surveys, drone-based mapping is low-impact and highly precise, minimizing disturbance to sensitive marine habitats while delivering powerful insights.

Understanding Pressures Beneath the Surface

Alongside aerial mapping, we’ll also carry out water quality analysis to better understand the pressures facing seagrass ecosystems. Monitoring key indicators such as nutrient levels, clarity, and pollutants will help us link land-based activities to marine health and inform local conservation strategies.