RESTORESEAGRASS
RESTORESEAGRASS
Ensuring a sustainable future for both people and nature through the conservation of seagrass habitats.
RESTORESEAGRASS is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of critically endangered seagrass habitats.
Building on over a decade of expertise, the project implements large-scale conservation techniques, innovative aquaculture solutions, and accreditation of ecosystem conservation benefits to enhance marine vegetation habitats, protect biodiversity and improve climate resilience. By engaging local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders, RESTORESEAGRASS aims to create long-term, sustainable solutions that contribute to global conservation efforts.
Protect Seagrass Habitats
We operate in the main seagrass areas of southwestern Europe, home to a unique variety of seagrass species.
Adopt a Seagrass Meadow
We promote public participation through citizen science and volunteer programs for seagrass conservation.
Biomass of Rare Marine Species for Conservation
We integrate sustainable multitrophic aquaculture to demonstrate the potential and large-scale benefits of seagrass conservation.
Accreditation of Ecosystem Conservation Benefits
We encourage private funding to invest in marine vegetation for carbon footprint compensation.
Our Work
WORKPACKAGE 1
Management and Reporting
Overall task management, facilitate communication among partners and working teams, and reporting to the European Union, also involves networking with scientific collaborators and other LIFE projects on marine restoration and engaging with stakeholders.
WORKPACKAGE 2
Conservation and Restoration of Infralittoral Seagrasses
Large-scale conservation and restoration actions for seagrass beds in the areas of work. Key tasks include mapping seagrass distributions and threats to define conservation priorities, removing mechanical threats and invasive species, cultivating seagrass in aquaculture, modelling seagrass habitat suitability, and transplanting seagrass to areas where it has been lost.
WORKPACKAGE 3
Monitoring and Evaluation
Carbon sequestration and biodiversity analyses will monitor ecosystem functions expected to change due to the seagrass conservation and restoration actions. Will also be compared in habitats with seagrass versus those where seagrass was lost, comparing also the same functions in seagrass habitats that were degraded by competing invasive seaweed species.
WORKPACKAGE 4
Dissemination, Communication & Networking
Dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of seagrass ecosystems, and fostering networking with other projects. All partners will contribute to communication efforts, targeting various audiences such as stakeholders, the scientific community, and the public.
WORKPACKAGE 5
Sustainability, Replication & Exploitation
Development of sustainability plans, replication strategies, and the exploitation of results. This includes promoting the replication of carbon accreditation methodologies and seagrass restoration practices in other sectors and regions.
Partners
We rely on the support of organisations and local business experts in ecosystem conservation.
Funding
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.
PROGRAMA BIOMARES
In the heart of the Arrábida Natural Park, the BIOMARES program was launched in 2007 to protect the biodiversity of the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. This project proved that restoring these vulnerable habitats is possible. Now, that experience serves as the foundation for this new challenge, the RESTORESEAGRASS.