"The rate of loss is equal to that occurring in tropical rainforests and on coral reefs yet it receives a fraction of the attention," said Dr Richard Unsworth, lead researcher. "If you're a small fish, like a juvenile cod, then you need food and shelter. Seagrass meadows provide both." The biggest threat is from poor water quality and damage caused by boat anchors and moorings. The Swansea research, for the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), is part of a global conservation effort to save seagrass.