Innovative Techniques for Large-Scale Collection, Processing, and Storage of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Seeds.

摘要

The use of eelgrass (Zostera marina) seeds is increasingly being recognized as a viable option for both small- and large-scale restoration projects. Although methods for hand-collecting, processing and storing eelgrass seeds have advanced to match the scale of collections, the number of seeds collected has limited the scale of restoration efforts, as well as the scale of ecologically relevant experiments. Recent experience with mechanized harvest of reproductive shoots has transcended the limitations of scale imposed upon divers working underwater during springtime with often severe weather limitations. Processing and storage methodologies and infrastructure previously scaled to hand collection now pose a bottleneck to the expansion of restoration and research to larger, previously unachievable scales. The purpose of this research was to develop methodologies for achieving the full potential for large-scale restoration presented by mechanized eelgrass seed harvesting. The specific goal in this project was to develop techniques and infrastructure to fully exploit potential mechanized seed harvesting capabilities, and to identify optimal conditions for storage and survival of large volumes of harvested seeds. This report addresses two aspects of large-scale, seed-based eelgrass restoration. The first section addresses techniques for maximizing seeds available for restoration, and the second section addresses an ongoing restoration project focused on seeding strategy.