The brent goose is a small, dark goose that winters on British estuaries and depends critically on seagrass meadows and green algae as primary food sources, making its welfare an indicator of coastal marine ecosystem health.
Brent goose welfare is closely coupled to seagrass meadow extent and health on British estuaries. Seagrass loss from pollution, coastal development, and physical disturbance by boat anchors and fishing gear removes the primary food source. Birds that cannot access adequate food before northward migration in spring arrive on breeding grounds in poor condition, reducing breeding success. Seagrass restoration is therefore a direct brent goose welfare intervention.