Poster Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting 2023

Assessing Seed Characteristics as a Determinant of Viability for Large-scale Seagrass Restoration. (#352)

Anna AH Hegarty 1 , Iain IG Gordon 1 , Emma EJ Jackson 1
  1. Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre, Central Queensland University, West Gladstone, QLD, Australia

A reduction in the area seagrass inhabits across the globe has compromised their ecosystem services. Restoration projects have been regrowing seagrass to combat this issue. Restoration by seed instead of seedlings or transplants may ensure high genetic diversity and maybe a more cost-effective, less labour-intensive method for seagrass restoration projects. These are crucial aspects to consider when upscaling projects. Seed characteristics such as colour, size and buoyancy have been used to select the best viable seeds for large-scale seed-based seagrass restoration. However, for the Zostera muelleri species, the optimal method for selecting viability at scale has not yet been determined. This study characterized individual Z. muelleri seeds by colour, size (length, width, weight), and Reynolds number and compared these characteristics, using a Logistical Regression Model, with respect to their germination and establishment success. Half the seeds were placed in a growth chamber and tested for germination rate, and the other half were planted in pots in a mesocosm and tested for establishment rate. The results are discussed in relation to options for large scale seagrass seed viability sorting.