An innovative new seagrass sculpture has been unveiled at The Deep, made possible by funding from Wilder Humber. This pioneering collaboration between Ørsted and the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts aims to restore 40 hectares of lost biodiversity in the Humber estuary over a five-year period. Their efforts encompass the revitalization of sand dunes, saltmarshes, seagrass, and native oyster habitats.
The Deep supports Wilder Humber’s mission through exhibitions, education, and the interpretation of these critical conservation actions.
A unique combination of art and environmental action
The newly installed seagrass sculpture, which also serves as a plastic bottle recycling station, is located beside the Millennium Footbridge. This footbridge connects The Deep to Humber Street and other central areas of the city, making the sculpture highly visible to passers-by. The dual purpose of this installation is to raise awareness about seagrass and local conservation efforts while providing a practical solution for plastic bottle recycling.
Martin Slater, Deputy Chief Executive at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the importance of seagrass in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. He noted that seagrass meadows not only provide vital habitats for marine species but also play a crucial role in combating climate change.
The decline and restoration of seagrass meadows
Historically, the Humber estuary was home to extensive seagrass meadows, particularly dwarf seagrass, which once spanned over 500 hectares at Spurn Point and extended from Grimsby to Cleethorpes. However, industrialization, declining water quality, disease, and coastal squeeze led to the near-total disappearance of these meadows between the 1930s and 1980s.
Seagrass is unique as the only flowering plant that can live in seawater. It captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, accounting for 10-18% of total ocean carbon storage despite covering less than 0.1% of the seafloor. Seagrass also helps protect coastlines from storms and erosion by dampening wave action and is effective at removing pollutants from water. In the UK, seagrass meadows provide essential nursery habitats for fish species like bass and sand eel and are crucial for bird species such as Brent geese.
The artist and the sculpture
Emma Stothard, the artist behind the seagrass sculpture, hails from Hull and grew up in Kilnsea near Spurn Point. Her work is heavily influenced by the wildlife of the Holderness coastline. The sculpture represents Zostera noltii, a native seagrass species, and symbolizes the seagrass seeds planted in the Humber estuary, which grow into extensive meadows that capture carbon and support marine life.
Emma shared her excitement about the project, stating that creating the sculpture was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of seagrass meadows. The sculpture also encourages the public to recycle plastic bottles, linking environmental action with art.
Commitment to conservation and education
Ben Jones, Director of Husbandry & Exhibition at The Deep, highlighted the significance of the new seagrass sculpture and recycling station. He emphasized the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and the importance of collective efforts to reduce single-use plastics. The Deep aims to educate visitors about the vital conservation actions occurring locally and inspire them to participate in environmental protection.
Wilder Humber: a comprehensive restoration effort
Wilder Humber’s ambitious program is a collaboration between the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and Ørsted. The project aims to restore marine habitats and species throughout the Humber estuary by trialing a seascape scale model that integrates sand dune, saltmarsh, seagrass, and native oyster restoration. The goal is to restore and enrich nearly 40 hectares of protected habitats and rebuild the native oyster population to over half a million.
The partnership involves local communities in the restoration journey, providing opportunities for residents to engage in wildlife conservation. By telling the story of their efforts, Wilder Humber hopes to foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
The importance of seagrass meadows
Seagrass meadows are among the world’s most important and unique habitats. They offer numerous benefits, such as carbon storage, water quality improvement, and providing crucial habitats for marine species. Despite their importance, seagrass meadows are declining globally, with estimates indicating a loss of 7% each year due to human pressures. In the UK, two native seagrass species, Zostera marina and Zostera noltii, play vital roles in coastal ecosystems.
Seagrass meadows are ecosystem engineers; their rhizomes stabilize sediment and reduce wave action, allowing further colonization by other plants like saltmarsh species. Seagrass reproduces both sexually and asexually, and its seeds can be dispersed and germinated by fish, mammals, and birds.
Restoring lost habitat
The unveiling of the seagrass sculpture at The Deep marks a significant step in raising awareness about the importance of seagrass meadows and the broader conservation efforts of Wilder Humber. This installation not only highlights the ecological value of seagrass but also encourages practical environmental action through recycling.
As the project progresses, it aims to restore lost habitats, enhance biodiversity, and inspire community involvement in protecting the Humber estuary’s natural heritage.
