Experimental restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Serra Gelada Natural Park and its surrounding coastal area

Abstract

This project aims to contribute to the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Valencian Community through seed collection, seedling production, experimental restoration, long-term monitoring, and outreach activities.
Following preliminary surveys, two degraded areas containing dead Posidonia matte—one shallow and one deep—were selected. The collected fruits were transferred for cultivation to the Portmán nursery, managed by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITERD). In 2023, 120 seedlings attached to biodegradable supports were planted, achieving a survival rate of approximately 40% in the shallow area and a lower rate at greater depth.
The limitations identified during this phase led to a second phase in 2024, based on the bare-root planting of 531 seedlings using the propagation-nucleus generation technique. This approach achieved a survival rate of 55% and proved to be more efficient and effective.