Seagrasses of West Africa: New Discoveries, Distribution Limits and Prospects for Management

The onset of a major seagrass initiative in West Africa enabled important discoveries several countries, one the least documented regions world. Four species occur western Africa, Cymodocea nodosa, Halodule wrightii, Ruppia maritima and Zostera noltei. An area about 62,108 ha seagrasses was studied region comprising seven countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone Cabo Verde. Extensive meadows noltei were recorded for first time at Saloum Delta, which represents new southernmost distribution limit this species. This paper also describes morphology some study areas explores main stressors to as well conservation initiatives protect these newly Africa. produced information maps serve starting point researchers managers monitor temporal spatial changes meadows’ extent, health condition an efficient management tool.