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<p>Seagrasses are foundation species providing ecological services to nearshore communities. Since the 1930s, New York seagrass meadows have suffered an 85–90% reduction in areal coverage. Recovery efforts have focused on seed-based restoration, yet emerging evidence suggests high CO<sub>2</sub>/low pH may enhance seed quality and germination. Field harvested reproductive shoots were collected and allowed to develop under current (AM; pH<sub>T</sub> = 7.92 ± 0.13, <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> = 532.6 ± 194.87 µatm) and reduced pH (OA; pH<sub>T</sub> = 6.86 ± 0.05, <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> = 6368 ± 551.08 µatm) until seeds were fully developed and released. Seeds were divided into two cohorts (AM and OA) and used for a series of experiments. We investigated how parental environment influenced seed viability, as well as carbon and phenolic content. We then used a three-level factorial design using pH (7.9 and 7.3), temperature (20 and 22&#xa0;°C), and parental background (OA and AM) to determine effects on survivorship and germination. Finally, seedling establishment was assessed <i>in situ</i> with OA and AM seeds deployed at two biogeochemically distinct field sites. Results suggest that high CO<sub>2</sub>/low pH conditions significantly improved both seed quality and survivorship, while also significantly increasing seedling establishment. No differences were reported in seed carbon or phenolic content; however, OA seeds were significantly heavier than AM seeds. Germination was driven by cooler temperature (20&#xa0;°C) rather than pH or parental environment. These results emphasize the importance of considering early life history of seagrasses for restoration strategies in current and future oceans.</p>

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Increasing Carbon Availability During Seed Development Could Facilitate Eelgrass Restoration by Bolstering Seed Banks and Increasing Seedling Establishment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月26日

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  • A. V. Lowell,
  • A. C. Hall,
  • F. Delany,
  • L. Steele,
  • B. J. Peterson

摘要

Seagrasses are foundation species providing ecological services to nearshore communities. Since the 1930s, New York seagrass meadows have suffered an 85–90% reduction in areal coverage. Recovery efforts have focused on seed-based restoration, yet emerging evidence suggests high CO2/low pH may enhance seed quality and germination. Field harvested reproductive shoots were collected and allowed to develop under current (AM; pHT = 7.92 ± 0.13, pCO2 = 532.6 ± 194.87 µatm) and reduced pH (OA; pHT = 6.86 ± 0.05, pCO2 = 6368 ± 551.08 µatm) until seeds were fully developed and released. Seeds were divided into two cohorts (AM and OA) and used for a series of experiments. We investigated how parental environment influenced seed viability, as well as carbon and phenolic content. We then used a three-level factorial design using pH (7.9 and 7.3), temperature (20 and 22 °C), and parental background (OA and AM) to determine effects on survivorship and germination. Finally, seedling establishment was assessed in situ with OA and AM seeds deployed at two biogeochemically distinct field sites. Results suggest that high CO2/low pH conditions significantly improved both seed quality and survivorship, while also significantly increasing seedling establishment. No differences were reported in seed carbon or phenolic content; however, OA seeds were significantly heavier than AM seeds. Germination was driven by cooler temperature (20 °C) rather than pH or parental environment. These results emphasize the importance of considering early life history of seagrasses for restoration strategies in current and future oceans.