Focus on the posidonia herbarium

At seaZen, we love the sailing and we make it easier for you to access the boat rental without a license. But above all, nature is loved. And this is where we want to focus today. When you rent a solar powered catamaran and you fish off the Mediterranean, you are invited to dive to get an eyeful. Below the surface, you will find Posidonia. Its name makes one think of a country, but it is actually a plant with marine flowers, specific to the Mediterranean Sea (and presents around Australia also).

Posidonia herbarium, seabed.

Did you know it's a flower?

At multiple locations, between the surface and up to 30-40 meters deep, it lines the marine seabed with its glowing green. Contrary to what one might think, it's not an alga. Its green flowers camouflage skilfully in its leaves in the form of long strips and hatch in autumn. In spring, they turn into fruits, similar to green olives. The posidonia dances to the rhythm of the waves and differs from the algae in that it reproduces thanks to the fruits that it gives birth. One of its notable peculiarities is that it only flowers every five to ten years. But this is not a problem for a species that can live several millennia.

Why is its role crucial for the health of the seabed?

The most magical is that this plant has a role that goes beyond its very existence. It constitutes an ecosystem of a rare richness known as the posidonia herbarium. This herbarium is a real place of life and food for many species of fish. It also acts as spawning ground, that is to say, a spawning area where fish, molluscs, frogs and crustaceans deposit their eggs. Finally, it is the perfect nursery to house juvenile populations.

Also, these underwater meadows capture colossal amounts of carbon, limit the erosion of the littoral and practice photosynthesis in the presence of light. They produce significant doses of oxygen. It should be noted, however, that posidonia is not at its best due to pollution, trawling and certain human activities. It is therefore one of the five protected species in the Mediterranean.

With seaZen, enjoy watching this underwater world in complete peace, without dispersing any pollution thanks to the solar system of the SSR19.

And here is a video that explains in a very playful way the interest of this plant: