A team at the University of the Highlands and Islands Shetland (UHI Shetland) is using drone surveys to locate and survey known seagrass beds and identify whether seagrass habitat has been lost from where it was last recorded more than 25 years ago. This project will increase knowledge about the status of known seagrass beds and address key questions for future restoration attempts about the status and reproductive potential of Shetland’s eelgrass beds. Further funding, made possible by the Nature Restoration Fund, was used to purchase a drone system that will aid in the mapping of the seagrass.
UHI Shetland was originally awarded £24,995 from the SMEEF privately funded grant round. This was our first fully privately financed round made possible by donations from businesses interested in restoring and enhancing Scotland’s coasts and seas. Contributors are listed here. Further funding of £11,436.41 was made possible by the Nature Restoration Fund and was used to buy a drone system that will aid in the mapping of the seagrass. For more information about how to contribute to SMEEF contact manager@smeef.scot.