Crvena Luka nature (I.)
Posidonia, Neptune grass, or Mediterranean tapeweed (lat. Posidonia oceanica) is a sea flower that got its name from the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon.
It is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, which means that it grows only in that area, and it is the most widespread of the other types of sea flowers in the Adriatic Sea!
1. Posidonia oceanica
Posidonia meadows are areas of great biodiversity; over 30 types of algae can be found on each Posidonia leaf, and they are habitats, breeding and feeding grounds grounds for more than 100 species of fish.
They are "factories" of oxygen, and with their ability to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they help mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
They improve the quality and transparency of seawater by acting as natural filters, retaining and absorbing suspended particles and nutrients. They play a big role in protecting the coast from erosion, storms, and waves with their dense roots, which helps maintain the stability of the coastal infrastructure.
2. Growth and role
Posidonia builds sea meadows on the muddy - sandy seabed, and it is visible from the surface of the sea in the form of dark spots, so you can easily spot it in our bay as well.
It also plays a big role in protecting the coast from erosion, storms, and waves with its dense roots, which helps maintain the stability of the coastal infrastructure.
Posidonia meadows are the most important coastal ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea and grow in areas where the pressure of human activities is extremely high.
Due to the importance of the meadows of this sea flowering plant and the sensitivity and threats that threaten them, Posidonia is a strictly protected species in Croatia.
