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Restoring Eelgrass: Identifying best practices for a seed-based approach

Principal Investigators

Jill Carr, University of Massachusetts Boston

Forest Schenck, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Alison Frye, Salem Sound Coastwatch

Abstract

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a critical marine habitat that provides a myriad of ecosystem services, yet its extent continues to decline across the Massachusetts coastline and beyond. Restoration efforts to date have largely focused on the transplantation of adult shoots, the effectiveness of which is limited by the high implementation cost and low potential for scaling up to the extent needed to reverse recent declines. Seed-based restoration offers an alternative that can be implemented at greater spatial and temporal scales and at a lower per-area cost. While a handful of small-scale seed-based restoration pilot projects have been carried out in Massachusetts, there are significant data gaps pertaining to the best practices that should be followed to implement such work at scale.

The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) propose to fill knowledge gaps pertaining to large-scale seed-based restoration of eelgrass in Massachusetts waters. This will be accomplished through a suite of innovative field surveys,
models, robust experiments, and convening of experts and regulators to address the questions of 1) when and where reproductive eelgrass shoots should be harvested, 2) the quantity, quality and germination rate of Massachusetts-origin seeds, 3) potential impacts of seed harvest on a donor meadow, and 4) the
regulatory processes needed to permit large-scale routine harvest and seeding. Project results will inform the production of a Best Practices Guide to seed-based eelgrass restoration in Massachusetts. This document will provide the foundation for scaling up to a state-wide restoration strategy, and identify the
variables critical to similar restoration efforts in New England. The project will include meaningful engagement with a variety of beneficiaries including resource managers, researchers, public stakeholders, students and eelgrass restoration practitioners. Ultimately, the goal is that project deliverables lead to
more successful and efficient eelgrass restoration.

Updates/Reports

Publications

Project Information

Funded 2024 to 2025, under NOAA Sea Grant biennial call for proposals

Sea Grant Focus Areas

Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

 

Relevant Links

Seaweed shoots with seeds in a tank
Seaweed shoots with seeds in a tank (Photo by Forest Schenck/MASS DMF)