Seagrasses are some of the most important coastal marine habitats yet have seen significant global losses to date, prompting the development and increased demand for active seagrass restoration. However, there are still several limitations common to many restoration programs, including low survival rates of seeds sown in-situ, and the need to source material from donor meadows. The emerging practice of nursery cultivated plant material from seed has, therefore, become an interesting prospect for seagrass restoration.
This study aims to provide insight into the effectiveness of different seed storage methods and seed germination triggers used for Zosteraceae species (Zostera muelleri, Heterozostera nigricaulis and Zostera marina) to facilitate the provisioning of nursery cultivated plants. We will highlight the effects of three different storage conditions; seed sterilisation, seed aeration and salinity on seed viability and the effect of three different germinations triggers; freshwater pulse, acid pulse, and scarification on Zosteraceae species to determine the impacts on seagrass emergence, growth and survival.
This study provides opportunities to improve seagrass restoration success by maximising germination rates and rearing seedlings past the initial developmental stages where they typically suffer high mortality in the natural environment.