When we think of a forest, we imagine tall trees, cool shade and life hiding among the branches. But there are forests that make no sound, that cannot be seen from land and that breathe beneath the water.

On March 1st, the World Day of Underwater Forests is celebrated, a day to remember that the sea also has its own forests. And in l’Ametlla de Mar we have a privileged one: the meadows of Posidonia oceanica.

Beneath the clear waters of our coves stretches a living landscape that moves with the current. They are not algae, but a marine plant with roots, stems and leaves that can live for thousands of years. When we go snorkeling and look down, we often pass over it without realizing that we are swimming above an essential ecosystem. Among its leaves, small fish, cuttlefish, crustaceans and countless marine organisms find shelter. It is a natural nursery, biodiversity in its purest form.

Like any forest, posidonia has a protective function. It filters the water and keeps it clear, stores large amounts of carbon and helps slow the effects of climate change; but it also builds coastline, stabilizes the seabed and helps preserve our beaches.

When, after a storm, we see remains of posidonia on the sand, the sea is showing us part of this natural cycle. These accumulations are not waste; they form a barrier that protects the sand from erosion and maintains the balance of the coves. The underwater forest also protects the land.

Posidonia grows very slowly, only a few centimeters each year. Some meadows are hundreds or even thousands of years old. They are silent witnesses to the history of the Mediterranean.

Anchoring over these meadows can leave a scar that may take decades to recover. That is why protecting underwater forests is a shared responsibility. Anchoring in authorized areas, respecting natural spaces and practicing nautical activities responsibly are small actions that have a big impact.

Celebrating the World Day of Underwater Forests means recognizing that the value of our coastline is not only what we see from the sand, but also what extends beneath the surface. When we admire the clear waters of our coves, when we dive in, or when we simply listen to the sound of the sea, there is an invisible forest that makes this beauty possible.

This Sunday, March 1st, let’s look towards the seabed. There beats the green heart of our coastline: the largest posidonia forests in Catalonia.

#worldseagranbay