Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seed protection for field experiments and implications for large-scale restoration

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration efforts have historically focused on the use of adult vegetative shoots because of generally low success using seeds, a propagule of potential, but little-known utility, in restoration work. Previous work has shown that approximately 15% of seeds broadcast on unvegetated sediments survive to seedling stage, with losses in part resulting from predation, burial, or lateral transport. We conducted experiments using seeds in burlap bags under both laboratory and field settings to determine if protecting seeds increased survival or germination rates. Retention of seeds from preparation to initial sampling six months later was nearly 100%. Seedling survival at the field sites ranged from 41 to 56% in the burlap bag treatment, compared to 5-15% for seeds without burlap bag protection. Under laboratory conditions, seedling survival was identical in both treatments (50%). However, successful seedling growth noted in the protected treatment after 6 months was lost by 8 months because of significant sand accumulation over anchored seed bags. These preliminary results are encouraging for future restoration efforts that shift the focus to the use of seeds rather than adult plants, as greater survival of seeds in a protected environment can offer enhanced opportunities for addressing both basic and applied questions in restoration ecology. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.