Britain has lost up to 92% of its historic seagrass meadows, but after scientists asked island residents to map old coastal memories, they discovered two hidden meadows and identified three priority sites for large-scale restoration

A groundbreaking study on Scotland’s Sanday island reveals that local knowledge is crucial for marine conservation. By combining community memory with scientific research, scientists rediscovered two previously unmapped seagrass meadows. This approach, highlighting a ‘missing layer’ in marine planning, identified key sites for restoration, emphasizing the vital role of lived experience in ecological recovery and coastal policy.