Seagrass meadows in the Marmara Sea are being digitally mapped through an AI-assisted scientific system as part of a comprehensive research project led by the Istanbul University Institute of Marine Sciences and Management. Marine biologist Selahattin Ünsal Karhan and senior fisheries engineer Ziya Çaylarbaşı were photographed conducting an underwater dive in the Erdek Gulf of Balıkesir, Türkiye, on October 13, 2025, as part of ongoing fieldwork for the study.
The project, titled “Mapping Seagrass Meadows with Modern Satellite and UAV Technologies Using AI and Creating a GIS Database: A Case Study in the Marmara Sea,” aims to monitor and protect seagrass ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by climate change, marine pollution, and coastal development. Within the scope of the research, Harmanlı Bay on Paşalimanı Island has been selected as the pilot study area.
By combining high-resolution satellite imagery, data collected from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and artificial intelligence algorithms, researchers are able to accurately analyze and map the distribution of seagrass meadows. Particular attention is given to Posidonia oceanica, a Mediterranean endemic species that plays a crucial role in marine biodiversity, carbon storage, and coastal protection.
The AI-assisted mapping system enables precise identification and long-term monitoring of these vital ecosystems. The resulting geographic information system (GIS) database is expected to support conservation strategies, sustainable coastal management, and future scientific research, contributing to the protection of the Marmara Sea’s fragile marine environment.
