#conservationdesign

Part 2 of my Plymouth trip!

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During my MA, my first project explored seagrass—a vital yet often overlooked marine ecosystem. 🌊 Back in 2023, there was significant attention on seagrass decline, but community action and awareness were still limited.

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🌱 Seagrass meadows combat climate change by absorbing and storing vast amounts of carbon—up to 35 times more efficiently than rainforests of the same size. Despite covering only 0.2% of the ocean floor, seagrasses store 10% of the ocean’s carbon. (Source: Ocean Conservation Trust)

One project that influenced my research was Rosie Sherwood’s “The Seagrass Walk” (slide 3), exhibited in Plymouth. I couldn’t visit at the time, so experiencing it now has brought my own project full circle. It was also fascinating to see the seagrass labs at Plymouth aquarium to, the delicate process of growing such a plant for conservation efforts highlighted the need to conserve these biodiverse areas in situ, such as corals, chalk streams and marsh land. Before they disappear altogether.

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The key research point for my project was inspired by a Cornish research study on the impact of chain moorings on seagrass, specifically how chain width affects seagrass scars. This visual impact led me to explore mark making as a medium.

I began by using secondhand chains to mimic the physical damage to seagrass beds. From there, I incorporated natural materials collected along the coastal path—twigs, seaweed, dried flowers, and grasses—to create custom tools for mark making, connecting the local environment back to the process.

To expand the idea, I developed a workshop prototype, inviting participants to make their own tools and experiment with ink. 🖌️ The hands-on experience fostered creativity and a tangible connection to the issue.