2004–ongoing SeagrassSpotter.org Global Seagrass Point Dataset

Sampling event Observation
Latest version published by Project Seagrass on Jul 11, 2026 Project Seagrass
Home:
https://seagrassspotter.org
Publication date:
July 11, 2026
Published by:
Project Seagrass
License:
CC-BY 4.0

Download the latest version of this resource data as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) or the resource metadata as EML or RTF:

Data as a DwC-A file download 11,482 records in English (1 MB) - Update frequency: monthly
Metadata as an EML file download in English (13 KB)
Metadata as an RTF file download in English (14 KB)

Description

Global dataset of seagrass point observations submitted through SeagrassSpotter, a citizen science platform developed and managed by Project Seagrass. Records are contributed by volunteers, researchers, practitioners and coastal users through the SeagrassSpotter website and mobile application. The dataset includes georeferenced seagrass observations and photographs, observation dates, species identifications, and where available, seagrass cover estimates , sediment type, water depth, epiphyte presence and visible threats. The dataset supports seagrass mapping, monitoring, conservation planning, public engagement and the identification of seagrass meadows in data-poor regions. SeagrassSpotter is an ongoing programme, so the dataset will continue to expand as new records are submitted.

Data Records

The data in this sampling event resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 11,482 records.

2 extension data tables also exist. An extension record supplies extra information about a core record. The number of records in each extension data table is illustrated below.

Event (core)
11482
ExtendedMeasurementOrFact 
69148
Occurrence 
14953

This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.

Versions

The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.

How to cite

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

Project Seagrass (2026). 2004–ongoing SeagrassSpotter.org Global Seagrass Point Dataset. Version 1.1. Project Seagrass. Samplingevent dataset. https://www.dassh.ac.uk/ipt/resource?r=seagrassspotter&v=1.1

Rights

Researchers should respect the following rights statement:

The publisher and rights holder of this work is Project Seagrass. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License.

GBIF Registration

This resource has not been registered with GBIF

Keywords

Occurrence; Observation

Contacts

Project Seagrass
Benjamin Jones
  • Point Of Contact
  • Chief Conservation Officer
Project Seagrass

Geographic Coverage

SeagrassSpotter data is collected globally by a network of >6000 citizen scientists.

Bounding Coordinates South West [-46.93, -172.359], North East [70.112, 178.499]

Taxonomic Coverage

No Description available

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Tracheophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Alismatales
Family Zosteraceae, Cymodoceaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Posidoniaceae, Ruppiaceae

Temporal Coverage

Start Date / End Date 2004-05-26 / 2026-11-30

Project Data

No Description available

Title SeagrassSpotter global citizen science programme

The personnel involved in the project:

Benjamin Jones
  • Point Of Contact

Sampling Methods

Records were collected through opportunistic citizen-science observations. Contributors documented seagrass encountered during activities such as shore-based observations, intertidal walking, wading, snorkelling, diving or boating. For each observation, the contributor recorded a geographic location using the location services of a mobile device or by manually selecting the observation location through the web platform. Contributors also provided an observation date and uploaded one or more photographs as evidence of the occurrence. A seagrass species or other appropriate taxonomic identification was supplied where it could be determined, supported by the SeagrassSpotter identification resources. Some records contain additional information supplied by the observer, including estimated spatial accuracy, water depth, seagrass cover, substrate, meadow condition and observed threats or human pressures. The availability of these additional measurements varies among records. Each submitted sighting is represented as a point occurrence and does not define the complete spatial extent of the associated seagrass meadow. Sampling effort and detectability were not standardised among observers or locations.

Study Extent SeagrassSpotter is a global citizen-science programme established in 2016 to document the occurrence and distribution of seagrass. The dataset contains georeferenced observations from intertidal and subtidal coastal habitats worldwide, collected wherever participants encountered seagrass and submitted a record through the SeagrassSpotter mobile application or website. The temporal coverage is determined by the observation dates associated with individual records. Geographic and temporal sampling intensity varies according to participant activity, accessibility and awareness of the programme. The data were therefore not collected using a spatially balanced or standardised sampling design. Locations without records should not be interpreted as locations where seagrass is absent.
Quality Control All SeagrassSpotter sightings are subject to a basic quality assurance and quality control process before approval. Submitted records are reviewed to check that the reported location is plausible, falls within or near the known geographic bounds of seagrass distribution, and is not clearly placed on land or in an unsuitable environment. Photographs and supporting information are also checked for obvious misidentification, including records that appear to show non-seagrass habitats, algae, terrestrial plants, or other benthic features. Where possible, species identifications are reviewed against the image provided and the known regional distribution of seagrass species. Records that cannot be confidently verified, are outside plausible seagrass distribution limits, or contain insufficient information may be rejected, queried, or retained only as unconfirmed records.

Method step description:

  1. A participant encounters seagrass and records the observation through the SeagrassSpotter mobile application or website.
  2. The participant supplies the observation location using device-based geolocation or manual map placement, records the observation date and uploads photographic evidence.
  3. The participant identifies the seagrass where possible, using their existing knowledge or the identification resources provided by SeagrassSpotter.
  4. The participant may provide additional information about the observation, including spatial accuracy, water depth, seagrass cover, substrate, meadow condition and visible threats or pressures.
  5. The submitted record is stored within the SeagrassSpotter database and reviewed for photographic evidence, taxonomic plausibility, completeness and geographic validity.
  6. Taxonomic information and occurrence fields are standardised for publication using Darwin Core. Records are corrected, assigned an appropriate level of taxonomic certainty, flagged or excluded where validation identifies a problem.
  7. Validated records are exported as georeferenced occurrence data, with links to the associated photographic evidence and any available measurements or contextual information.

Additional Metadata