If you manually remove turtle grass how deep do you need to go and how fast will it regrow?

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is a seagrass species commonly found in shallow coastal waters. When manually removing turtle grass, it's important to consider its root structure, which can extend several centimeters into the sediment. Typically, you should aim to remove it from about 10 to 15 centimeters deep to effectively detach the rhizomes and roots. As for regrowth, turtle grass has a relatively slow growth rate. Under optimal conditions—such as sufficient light, appropriate water quality, and stable sediment conditions—it can grow about 5 to 10 centimeters per year. However, if the area is disturbed or if growth conditions are not ideal, recovery can take much longer. Consequently, removing turtle grass can lead to habitat degradation and may adversely affect marine life that depends on seagrass ecosystems. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the ecological impacts before removing turtle grass and to engage in conservation practices whenever possible.