Mentor/s
Torrance C. Hanley
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
The global decline of seagrass meadows urgently requires finding consistently effective restoration methods. Recently, there has been increased interest in seed-based methods of seagrass restoration. However, these methods have had mixed success, with highly variable outcomes. Relatively little is known about how sediment characteristics, including soil conditioning by seagrasses, may affect seed germination and seedling success in a restoration context. To examine the effects of seed source and sediment characteristics, we conducted a laboratory experiment using eelgrass seeds collected from different source meadows and sediment collected from vegetated and unvegetated areas at restored meadows, as well as commercial sand. We measured seed germination and seedling performance during the experiment, and assessed seed quality. We found pronounced differences in seed quality and seed germination among source meadows, but the effects of sediment conditioning on seed germination and seedling performance were more variable. Our results can be used to inform seagrass restoration in New England, suggesting that restorations sourcing seeds from multiple meadows and potentially including sediment inoculations may have greater success.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-26-2024 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-26-2024 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Prize Categories
Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration, Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Best Visuals, Most Creative
Effects of seed source and sediment composition on seagrass germination and seedling performance
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
The global decline of seagrass meadows urgently requires finding consistently effective restoration methods. Recently, there has been increased interest in seed-based methods of seagrass restoration. However, these methods have had mixed success, with highly variable outcomes. Relatively little is known about how sediment characteristics, including soil conditioning by seagrasses, may affect seed germination and seedling success in a restoration context. To examine the effects of seed source and sediment characteristics, we conducted a laboratory experiment using eelgrass seeds collected from different source meadows and sediment collected from vegetated and unvegetated areas at restored meadows, as well as commercial sand. We measured seed germination and seedling performance during the experiment, and assessed seed quality. We found pronounced differences in seed quality and seed germination among source meadows, but the effects of sediment conditioning on seed germination and seedling performance were more variable. Our results can be used to inform seagrass restoration in New England, suggesting that restorations sourcing seeds from multiple meadows and potentially including sediment inoculations may have greater success.
Students' Information
Mason Tsaglos
Biology Major
Chemistry and Psychology Minors
Class of 2026