The Cambodian Seagrass Conservation Project
ABOUT
The Cambodian Seagrass Conservation Project was launched as a long-term research and conservation initiative to better understand the extent and ecological condition of Cambodia’s seagrass meadows. It also monitors and assesses the recovery of these vital habitats over time, particularly within areas protected by MCC’s Fishery Productivity Structures (FPS).
Seagrass meadows are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet. They capture twice as much carbon as the world’s terrestrial forests and support roughly 20% of global fisheries. Cambodia is home to twelve known seagrass species, ten of which occur in the Kep Archipelago, including Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, and Enhalus acoroides. These meadows provide a wide range of ecological services: they act as nursery and feeding grounds for marine species, store carbon, oxygenate surrounding waters, cycle nutrients, improve water quality, and mitigate coastal erosion.
In Kep and Kampot, seagrass meadows also hold major socioeconomic value. They supply food, income, and livelihoods for coastal communities and support both small-scale fisheries and tourism. Their natural recovery, especially in restored areas, has become a clear conservation success story, highlighted by the return of dugongs, which depend on healthy seagrass for feeding.
APPROACH
The CSCP follows the global Seagrass Watch protocol to ensure consistent and comparable monitoring of seagrass meadow health and composition.
Transects
Standardised transect lines are used to measure seagrass cover, density, and species presence in a consistent and repeatable way across sites.
Meadow Edge Surveys
Surveys conducted along meadow boundaries to monitor changes in seagrass extent, fragmentation, and interaction with surrounding habitats.
Composition Surveys
Detailed assessments of seagrass species composition, shoot density, and substrate type to evaluate meadow health and biodiversity.
Seasonality Surveys
Repeated surveys across seasons to understand natural variability, growth cycles, and environmental influences on seagrass meadows.
Long-term Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring at fixed sites to track trends over time, detect degradation or recovery, and inform adaptive conservation management.
Through these methods, we collect essential data on species composition, distribution, meadow condition, and ecological change, enabling us to track recovery, identify emerging threats, and guide effective conservation actions.
PROJECT AIMS
Mapping & Distribution:
• Map the extent and distribution of mature and pioneer seagrass meadows
• Understand the seasonality and spatial patterns of seagrass species in Cambodia
Condition & Long-Term Monitoring:
• Monitor the health and condition of seagrass meadows over time
• Study the relationships between meadows and the threats they face in Cambodian waters
Ecosystem Services & Ecological Relationships:
• Build an evidence base demonstrating the ecosystem services provided by Cambodian seagrass meadows
• Understand the relationships between seagrass habitats and the species they support
RESULTS AND SUCCESSES
Research & Publications:
• Produced multiple comprehensive reports and publications on Cambodia’s seagrass meadows
Mapping & Ecological Insights:
• Estimated more than 1,000 hectares of seagrass cover in the Kep Archipelago
Capacity Building:
• Trained students and volunteers in seagrass survey techniques and scientific writing
Restoration & Recovery:
• Demonstrated natural recovery of seagrass meadows within FPS-protected areas,
with rewilding rates reaching up to 50%
