Evaluation of a mechanical seed planter for transplanting Zostera marina (eelgrass) seeds

Orth, Robert J.; Marion, Scott R.; Granger, Steven J.; Traber, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.aquabot.2008.07.004

Cited by 50 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Seed broadcasting is one of the most promising approaches (Harwell & Orth, 1999; Orth et al, 2003; Olesen et al, 2004; Orth, Harwell & Lnglis, 2006; Shafer & Bergstrom, 2010); it has been successfully applied to a few seagrass restoration programs (Paling et al, 2009), such as the restoration of Zostera marina habitats in the United States (Orth et al, 2006b). Unfortunately, broadcast seeds have a very low germination rate in the field (compared with transplanted adult plants) because some seeds do not germinate or may be predated on by other animals leading to seed loss (Wassenberg, 1990; Orth, Luckenbach & Moore, 1994; Fishman & Orth, 1996; Orth et al, 2009). However, broadcasting germinated seeds and transplanting artificial seedlings are both important in seagrass restoration and could largely increase the seedling establishment rate (SER) (Wassenberg, 1990; Christensen, Sortkjaer & McGlathery, 1995; Fishman & Orth, 1996; Kirkman, 1999; Balestri, Piazzi & Cinelli, 1998; Orth et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salinity and temperature significantly influence seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth of eelgrassZostera marinaL.

Zhou

Wang

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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Globally, seagrass beds have been recognized as critical yet declining coastal habitats. To mitigate seagrass losses, seagrass restorations have been conducted in worldwide over the past two decades. Seed utilization is considered to be an important approach in seagrass restoration efforts. In this study, we investigated the effects of salinity and temperature on seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth of eelgrass Zostera marina L. (Swan Lake, northern China). We initially tested the effects of salinity (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 ppt) and water temperature (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C) on seed germination to identify optimal levels. To identify levels of salinity that could potentially limit survival and growth, and, consequently, the spatial distribution of seedlings in temperate estuaries, we then examined the effect of freshwater and other salinity levels (10, 20, and 30 ppt) on seedling growth and establishment to confirm suitable conditions for seedling development. Finally, we examined the effect of transferring germinated seeds from freshwater or low salinity levels (1, 5, and 15 ppt) to natural seawater (32 ppt) on seedling establishment rate (SER) at 15 °C. In our research, we found that: (1) Mature seeds had a considerably lower moisture content than immature seeds; therefore, moisture content may be a potential indicator of Z. marina seed maturity; (2) Seed germination significantly increased at low salinity (p < 0.001) and high temperature (p < 0.001). Salinity had a much stronger influence on seed germination than temperature. Maximum seed germination (88.67 ± 5.77%) was recorded in freshwater at 15 °C; (3) Freshwater and low salinity levels (< 20 ppt) increased germination but had a strong negative effect on seedling morphology (number of leaves per seedling reduced from 2 to 0, and maximum seedling leaf length reduced from 4.48 to 0 cm) and growth (seedling biomass reduced by 46.15–66.67% and maximum seedling length reduced by 21.16–69.50%). However, Z. marina performed almost equally well at salinities of 20 and 30 ppt. Very few germinated seeds completed leaf differentiation and seedling establishment in freshwater or at low salinity, implying that freshwater and low salinity may potentially limit the distribution of this species in coastal and estuarine waters. Therefore, the optimum salinity for Z. marina seedling establishment and colonization appears to be above 20 ppt in natural beds; (4) Seeds germinated in freshwater or at low salinity levels could be transferred to natural seawater to accomplish seedling establishment and colonization. This may be the optimal method for the adoption of seed utilization in seagrass restoration. We also identified seven stages of seed germination and seedling metamorphosis in order to characterize growth and developmental characteristics. Our results may serve as useful information for Z. marina habitat establishment and restoration programs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salinity and temperature significantly influence seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth of eelgrassZostera marinaL.

Zhou

Wang

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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“…N: no significant difference. Marion and Orth, 2010a), 1.2-10.1% observed for mechanical seed planter work in the Chesapeake Bay region (Orth et al, 2009), and 0-5.5% observed for broadcast work in the Spider Crab Bay and Chesapeake Bay region Marion and Orth, 2010a). Although seedling survival ranged from 41% to 56% for the burlap bag protection work in the lower York and Piankatank Rivers, successful seedling growth noted in the protected treatment after 6 months was lost by 8 months because of significant sand accumulation over anchored seed bags (Harwell and Orth, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Of those that did report ''success'' (i.e., at least some planting units survived), many were based on <1 year of monitoring, therefore longer term success is likely to be even lower (Tanner, 2014). Low seedling establishment rates remain a bottleneck for seed-based eelgrass restoration (Orth et al, 2009). Previous studies showed that dispersal of seagrass seeds and seedlings can be controlled by both abiotic and biotic elements (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Thus the recent efforts in seagrass habitat restoration have been attempted on the use of seeds rather than plants or sods as planting stock. Some field seed-planting experiments have been developed and focused on Zostera marina (eelgrass) using seed broadcast method (Orth et al, 2008(Orth et al, , 2009Busch and Golden, 2009;Busch et al, 2010;Golden et al, 2010), buoy-deployed seeding method (Pickerell et al, 2005;Boyer et al, 2008;Busch and Golden, 2009;Busch et al, 2010;Golden et al, 2010;Marion and Orth, 2010a), seed protection method with burlap bag (Harwell and Orth, 1999), and mechanical seed planter (Orth et al, 2008(Orth et al, , 2009Marion and Orth, 2010a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An effective seed protection method for planting Zostera marina (eelgrass) seeds: Implications for their large-scale restoration

Zhang

Fang

Liu

et al. 2015

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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“…Unfortunately, such an approach has several disadvantages; seeds may not germinate and may be ingested by some animals upon seeding (Wassenberg, 1990;Fishman and Orth, 1996). In general, germination of broadcast eelgrass seeds tends to be very low (Orth et al, 1994 and2009). However, low germination rate or ingestion by other animals can be largely reduced either by artificial seedling raised for transplantation (Christensen et al, 1995) or by sowing (burying) germinated seeds, therefore increasing eelgrass bed restoration efficiency to a large extent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Influence of temperature and salinity on germination of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seeds

Pan¹,

Jiang²,

Li³

et al. 2011

J. Ocean Univ. China

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Seagrass restoration as part of ocean ecosystem protection has been launched for many years all over the world, but intensive research on this subject in China has just begun in recent years. Seed broadcasting has been widely accepted as the most potentially useful method for seagrass restoration over large areas. We examined the influence of key environmental factors on seed germination to help promote eelgrass bed restoration. Under anoxic conditions, the influence of temperature and salinity on the germination rate of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seeds was examined at different combinations of four temperatures (4, 9, 14, and 24℃) and nine salinities (5 to 45, increment of 5). The effect of significant interaction of temperature and salinity on germination rate was observed (ANOVA) (P<0.001). The highest germination rate (83.3 ± 3.5)% was reached in 8 weeks at 14℃ and salinity 5. Higher temperature significantly increased the germination rate at salinity 5 (P<0.001) during the whole observation period except for 24℃, while lower salinity significantly increased the germination rate at 14℃ (P<0.001). Although significant interaction was found between temperature and salinity (P<0.001), the influence of salinity was stronger than that of temperature for the germination of eelgrass seeds. These results provide useful information for the propagation of artificial seedlings for seagrass restoration in China.

show abstract

Evaluation of a mechanical seed planter for transplanting Zostera marina (eelgrass) seeds

Cited by 50 publications

References 11 publications

Salinity and temperature significantly influence seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth of eelgrassZostera marinaL.

Salinity and temperature significantly influence seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth of eelgrassZostera marinaL.

An effective seed protection method for planting Zostera marina (eelgrass) seeds: Implications for their large-scale restoration

Influence of temperature and salinity on germination of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seeds

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