"The monthly lecture series, held at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, brings in FIU researchers to discuss topics relevant to Florida Keys ecology. James Fourqurean's talk, titled, “Saving Seagrass to save the planet: Blue Carbon and seagrass ecosystems” shed light on the important role seagrasses play in the storage of carbon. Dr. Fourqurean’s talk began with an in-depth explanation on the science behind climate change and the impacts it has on ecosystems in the Florida Keys. While many people understand the role that forests play in the storage of carbon, people often overlook the role the marine ecosystems play in “blue” carbon storage. The Florida Keys, being home to the world’s largest monitored seagrass area, is an area of critical importance to blue carbon storage in the southeastern United States."
