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Factors Influencing Seedling Establishment Rates in Zostera marina and Their Implications for Seagrass Restoration

2009; Wiley; Volume: 18; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1526-100x.2010.00695.x

1526-100X

Scott R. Marion, Robert J. Orth,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

Restoration EcologyVolume 18, Issue 4 p. 549-559 Factors Influencing Seedling Establishment Rates in Zostera marina and Their Implications for Seagrass Restoration Scott R. Marion, Scott R. Marion Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Route 1208, Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorRobert J. Orth, Corresponding Author Robert J. Orth Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Route 1208, Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A. R. J. Orth, email [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Scott R. Marion, Scott R. Marion Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Route 1208, Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorRobert J. Orth, Corresponding Author Robert J. Orth Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Route 1208, Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A. R. J. Orth, email [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 07 July 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00695.xCitations: 25Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Selection of strategies to efficiently utilize limited seed supplies in efforts to restore the seagrass Zostera marina (eelgrass) requires a better understanding of the processes that limit seedling establishment at potential restoration sites. We investigated the effect of seed distribution timing on seedling establishment and tested for interactive effects of seed burial and distribution timing. We also investigated the effect of habitat type on seedling establishment by distributing Z. marina seeds inside and outside of established Ruppia maritima (widgeongrass) patches and examined mechanisms causing habitat differences by manipulating seed position (buried or unburied) and vulnerability to seed predators (unprotected or protected in packets). Seeds distributed on the sediment surface in the summer (July or August) produced fewer seedlings than seeds distributed in fall (October) in five of six trials over 3 years. Seed burial increased success rates for seeds distributed in summer at one of two sites tested, eliminating the effect of season, but reduced success at the other site. Seeds placed in R. maritima generally produced fewer seedlings than seeds in bare sand, and although seed burial and protection in packets increased success in bare sand at three of four sites, the effect was less consistent in R. maritima. We conclude that seed predation and physical interactions were influential in reducing seedling establishment in R. maritima, contrary to hypotheses positing a nursery role for existing vegetation. Efficient restoration efforts with Z. marina seeds should target unvegetated areas after summertime sources of mortality have diminished. Direct seed burial may enhance seedling establishment rates. LITERATURE CITED Chambers, J. C., and J. A. MacMahon. 1994. A day in the life of a seed: movements and fates of seeds and their implications for natural and managed systems. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 25: 263–292. Churchill, A. C., G. Nieves, and A. H. Brenowitz. 1985. Flotation and dispersal of eelgrass seeds by gas bubbles. 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