This Catalyst project engaged a cross-continental network of seagrass restoration practitioners in discussion of best practices and knowledge gaps for seed-based methods and laid the foundation for continuing information transfer and future collaborative projects.
The Project
Seagrass restoration is a high priority across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and the focus of many collaborative partnerships among scientists, state and federal agencies, tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations. While the majority of seagrass restoration efforts to date have transplanted adult shoots using a variety of planting techniques, seed-based methods are becoming more common due, in part, to emerging observations of several key benefits. However, a primary challenge facing restoration practitioners is a lack of information exchange about novel seed-based methods and their respective outcomes. Communication of restoration practices occurs primarily among established partners within distinct networks that are typically regionally limited. This uneven exchange of information can delay research progress and impede restoration efforts.
To address inequities in access to information and resources, this Catalyst project worked to develop a comprehensive summary of seed-based restoration methods. Using an online survey, the project team gathered collective knowledge from a global community of eelgrass restoration practitioners. The team also organized virtual and in-person workshops to outline short- and long-term priorities for seed-based restoration regionally and nationally, identifying key knowledge gaps and critical research needs. These workshops contributed to the establishment of a cross-continental network of seagrass restoration practitioners that continues to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information. Finally, the team engaged with more than 200 eelgrass restoration practitioners at regional and national meetings to identify interests, needs, and priorities for the development of accessible resources.
The project found several knowledge gaps limiting the application and potential of seed-based methods for seagrass restoration, as well as differences in needs, priorities, and progress on the East and West Coasts of the United States. According to the team’s survey results, there is no single method of dispersing/planting seeds that is thought to be consistently effective and few that are considered to be often effective. This indicates that there is a need for smaller- and larger-scale studies assessing the success of seed-based restoration methods to determine which approaches produce the most consistent outcomes and which environmental factors most affect the likelihood of success. A coordinated effort comparing different seed-based methods across regions would greatly benefit the state of the practice. In addition, there is a need for a protocol outlining best practices for harvesting, processing, and storing eelgrass seeds, as experience and familiarity with different methods is often partner- or region-specific. Additional project findings are captured fully in the project’s StoryMap as well as in a beta version of a common database and platform for easily communicating and accessing shared knowledge about past, current, and future seed-based restoration projects.
The Impact
- Establishment of a cross-continental network of seagrass restoration practitioners to increase communication of best practices, research priorities, and knowledge gaps for seed-based methods across groups and regions, facilitate new partnerships and collaborations, and sustain the transfer of information.
- Iterative engagement of restoration practitioners to develop living resources that directly reflect the needs and priorities of the seagrass community and will continue to be shared and refined based on end user feedback.
- Laid the foundation for smaller- and larger-scale partnerships at regional and national scales to conduct studies addressing community-identified needs and priorities for seagrass seed-based restoration.
