Comparison of different techniques for seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) restoration

Coastal ecosystems, particularly seagrass meadows, are vital for ecological and socio-economic stability, providing essential ecosystem services such as habitat provision, nutrient cycling, and blue carbon sequestration. Among seagrasses, Posidonia oceanica, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, plays a critical role but faces significant threats from human activities and environmental disturbances. Restoration of degraded P. oceanica meadows has garnered interest, with active restoration methods increasingly employed to counteract its slow natural recovery. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of different restoration techniques for P. oceanica using detached plagiotropic rhizomes. Experimental restoration was conducted at two sites in Mallorca, Spain, using four anchoring methods: big steel staples coated with beeswax, small garden staples, bamboo sticks, and calcite structures (the latter tested at one site only). Fragments were planted in shallow zones of dead matte, where anthropogenic pressures such as anchoring had been eliminated, and monitored over 2 years to assess the success of establishment and production of new shoots. Logistic and environmental indicators were also assessed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each technique, a part lacking in most restoration experiments. Preliminary results highlight variability in restoration success across methods, with implications for optimizing restoration strategies. This research contributes to advancing cost-effective and ecologically sound practices for seagrass restoration, addressing critical gaps in understanding the ecological and logistical feasibility of P. oceanica restoration efforts.

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Primary Presenter: Gema Hernan, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB) (gemahernanm@gmail.com)

Authors:

Gema Hernan, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB)  (gema.hernanm@gmail.com)