Dwarf Eelgrass
Zostera noltii
Zostera noltii is a species of seagrass known by the common name dwarf eelgrass. It is found in shallow coastal waters in north western Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Aral Sea and on islands in the Atlantic off the coast of northwest Africa.
43
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Frédéric ANDRE, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Frédéric ANDRE
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Zosteraceae
Genus
Zostera
Dwarf Eelgrass belongs to the family Zosteraceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Zostera noltii is a species of seagrass known by the common name dwarf eelgrass. It is found in shallow coastal waters in north western Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Aral Sea and on islands in the Atlantic off the coast of northwest Africa. It is an important part of the intertidal and shallow subtidal ecosystems of estuaries, bays and lagoons.
Dwarf Eelgrass faces significant threats from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts that are degrading its shallow marine habitats. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and water quality deterioration from agricultural and urban runoff are causing population declines across much of its range. The species' vulnerability is heightened by its dependence on specific intertidal conditions that are increasingly disrupted by human activities.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dwarf Eelgrass inhabits shallow intertidal and subtidal waters of estuaries, lagoons, and sheltered coastal areas with muddy or sandy substrates. It typically grows in waters less than 4 meters deep, forming dense meadows in areas with moderate salinity and gentle water movement.
Threats
Climate change and sea level rise
Coastal development and habitat destruction
Water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff
Eutrophication leading to algal blooms
Physical disturbance from boating and fishing activities
Found in 43 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dwarf Eelgrass (Zostera noltii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dwarf-eelgrass