Seagrass - the lungs of the ocean
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What is seagrass?
Seagrass is the name given to a group of flowering plants that grow underwater in shallow coastal waters. These plants have long, narrow leaves and root systems that anchor them to the seabed. Seagrass meadows play a very important role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem Scientific Name There are over 70 different species of seagrass, each with its own scientific name. Some common examples include:
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If you want to find out more why not check out Seagrass: The Lungs of the Sea (Come Dive with Me Science Series) on Amazon. Click the image to follow the link.
Click on the image to open the flip book about seagrass.
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What is the difference between seagrass, seaweed and kelp?
SeagrassSeagrass is a flowering plant that grows underwater in shallow coastal waters. It has long, thin leaves and roots that anchor it to the ocean floor.
Seagrass plays an essential role in marine ecosystems by providing habitat for many sea creatures and helping to keep the water clean. It helps stabilise sediments on the ocean floor, stop coastal erosion and it stores carbon dioxide. 
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Seaweed Seaweed refers to many different types of marine algae. It comes in lots of shapes, sizes, and colours, from tiny strands to large, leafy plants.
Seaweed doesn't have roots like seagrass; instead, it attaches to rocks or other surfaces using holdfasts. Some seaweeds are edible and are used in cooking, while others provide habitat for marine life and help protect coastlines from erosion. 
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KelpKelp is a specific type of large brown seaweed that grows in cold, nutrient-rich waters along rocky coastlines. It forms dense underwater forests, with long, leafy fronds that can reach up to hundreds of feet in length.
Kelp provides food and shelter for a wide variety of marine organisms and is also harvested for use in products like food, fertilizer, and cosmetics. 
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Australian Curriculum Links
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SCIENCE
Science Understanding Biological sciences Years 1 AC9S1U01 identify the basic needs of plants and animals, including air, water, food or shelter, and describe how the places they live meet those needs Year 5 AC9S5U01 examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats Year 6 AC9S6U01 investigate the physical conditions of a habitat and analyse how the growth and survival of living things is affected by changing physical conditions |
HASS
Knowledge and Understanding Geography Year 1 AC9HS1K04 how places change and how they can be cared for by different groups including First Nations Australians Year 4 AC9HS4K05 the importance of environments, including natural vegetation and water sources, to people and animals in Australia and on another continent Year 9 Biomes and food security AC9HG9K01 the distribution and characteristics of biomes as regions with distinctive climates, soils, vegetation and productivity |