An update of the ongoing study of low-cost and highly scalable posidonia oceanica replantation methods

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica is a marine phanerogam endemic to the Mediterranean Sea which provides a number of essential ecosystem services. Degraded meadows have the capacity to regenerate but the process is slow. A number of research centres are advancing the methods for restoration of seagrass meadows, but to date the majority of methods are costly when applied at a large scale as replanting is carried out manually by divers. The SARTI posidonia project aims to experiment with new methodologies for the germination of Posidonia oceanica seeds and cuttings for reforestation in degraded marine habitats, in combination with chalk rocks (high in CaCO3) used as a launch and anchor mechanism. A lander will be installed equipped with an underwater video camera allowing for real-time monitoring of the deployment area. Due to the long distance from the camera to the station, the camera will be connected to the OBSEA observatory through a PowerOverEthernet link plus ethernet extensors.