Abstract:

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, 1813 is a species of seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean. In the past half century, mapping and monitoring of P. oceanica meadows has become fundamental due to anthropogenic pressures and climate change causing their degradation. Several methods are used to study P. oceanica from direct data collection, such as quadrants surveying techniques, to indirect satellite imagery and modelling. Here, a case study is presented using a cost-effective underwater photogrammetry methodology for mapping shallow-water seagrass meadows (0 to 10 meters depth) in the eastern Aegean Sea. This approach enables the generation of precise three-dimensional models and point clouds, allowing the digital representation of seagrass meadow structure and density.