Seagrass ecosystems along the Vietnamese coastline: current state of research and future perspectives

Seagrass communities in Vietnam are important primary producers in the coastal environment and play a key role in shoreline protection as a bioshield in the country. In the past two decades, seagrass research in Vietnam has advanced in many aspects, including distribution mapping, plant genetics and biophysical characteristics, sustainable use of seagrass beds, restoration and protection of seagrass meadows, establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), and collaborative research with international institutions. In this paper, we presented a state-of-the-art review of recent seagrass research conducted in Vietnam. Despite the recent increase in the number of seagrass studies conducted in Vietnam, these coastal ecosystems continue to be poorly mapped and managed in some areas. Although a number of recent studies highlighted the use of seagrass ecosystems as a coastal bioshield in Vietnam, they have undergone degradation in recent years due to pollution, sedimentation and turbidity, eutrophication and habitat loss. Remote sensing is considered as an effective tool for mapping seagrasses in recent studies, particularly due to the ability to accurately map, model and assess the condition of some hard to access sites. Collaboration among regional authorities, NGOs and research institutions can provide an appropriate basis for understanding these complex systems at a national scale and afford an important scientific reference for supporting management and conservation decisions in Vietnam. Sustainable use of seagrass ecosystems can bring economic benefits as well as environmental protection along the coastal areas of Vietnam.