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Successful seagrass rescue: New project for the Baltic Sea gets underway!
Leibniz University Hannover coordinates the award-winning SeaStore project to reintroduce seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea.
Successful seagrass rescue: New project for the Baltic Sea gets underway!
The first seagrass restoration project in Germany, known as SeaStore, recently received a prestigious award from the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). The project is coordinated by the Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH) and has the goal of promoting the reintroduction of seagrass meadows in the German Baltic Sea. These meadows are of great importance for climate and coastal protection as they store carbon dioxide (CO2), stabilize coasts against erosion and provide habitats for many species. Dr. Maike Paul from the Ludwig Franzius Institute accepted the award in Hamburg in May. SeaStore is one of three projects recognized in the UN Decade competition, which annually focuses on different ecosystem complexes, including oceans and coasts.
As part of the project, comprehensive methods for the large-scale reintroduction of seagrass are being developed and tested. A key aim is to produce a detailed guide on the protection and reintroduction of seagrass meadows in the southern Baltic Sea. Nine network partners are currently working on the implementation in order to create a solid scientific basis for the resettlement and at the same time carry out communication work that is intended to raise awareness of this important topic.
Research objectives and technological support
The SeaStore project focuses on subtidal seagrass species such as Zostera marina in southern Baltic waters. A scientific basis will be created to evaluate robust reintroduction measures. This includes investigating the positive effects of seagrass meadows on stabilizing sediments, storing carbon and promoting biological diversity. Findings flow into a digital decision support tool (DST), which includes aspects such as area selection and methodical implementation.
- Flächenauswahl
- Methodische Umsetzung der Wiederansiedlung
- Herkunft des Pflanzenmaterials
- Langfristiges Monitoring der Flächen
- Abschätzung der Auswirkungen auf Ökosystemleistungen (ÖSL)
- Flächenmanagement zur Sicherung des Erhalts
The integrated simulation models also support location identification and technical measures for reintroduction, while concepts are developed and tested to optimize reintroduction at selected locations.
Public participation and integration
Another important element of the project is the development of citizen participation opportunities (citizen science) in order to actively involve the local population in the resettlement. This not only promotes understanding of the measures, but also increases acceptance among the population. In addition, the role of the soil and seagrass microbiome in terms of reintroduction success and CO2 storage capacity is being investigated.
A focus of SeaStore is the thorough research and testing of all recommended restoration measures. Little-noticed environmental factors are also taken into account, such as the diversity of microorganisms on sea grasses and in the seabed. The aim is to develop comprehensive support for newly planted grasses against currents and wave action.
Overall, SeaStore's main goal is to create a scientifically based renaturation concept for the seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea. The comprehensive guide that will be created is intended not only to help authorities and other stakeholders in planning and implementing reintroduction projects, but also to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, authorities and coastal populations.
For the future of the German Baltic Sea, the SeaStore project represents a promising initiative to preserve and restore the valuable seagrass meadow habitat. The Leibniz University of Hanover reports that this will be of great importance not only for marine biodiversity, but also for climate and coastal protection. That too UN Decade Project shows how important such initiatives are in raising awareness of coastal protection. At the same time offers the seagrass meadows website further exciting insights into the importance of seagrass meadows and their restoration.