Transplanted Turtle Grass

Clumps of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) sit on the ocean floor of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. This particular section of turtle grass was one of many places transplanted by researchers and volunteers of the Sociedad Ambiente Marino, to repopulate areas that were heavily impacted by numerous hurricanes and heavy storms, including 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria. The purpose is not only to recolonize these areas with native turtle grasses, but also to provide habitat for the other organisms that live in these ecosystems, such as the Caribbean queen conch, sea urchins, sea turtles, and fishes.