Poster Abstract
17. HABITAT ENHANCEMENT OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS: TRANSPLANTING EELGRASS ON THE SOUTH COAST OF KOREA
Wen-Tao Li*1, Kun-Seop Lee2, Xiu-mei Zhang1
1 Department of Marine Fisheries, Ocean University of China
2 Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University
Seagrass meadows play an important role in the coastal ecosystem. However, seagrass beds have declined dramatically over the last few decades worldwide due to anthropogenic and natural causes. Seagrass transplantation has been considered an effective method to mitigate seagrass degradation and restore damaged seagrass beds. As the most widespread seagrass species in temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere, eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) and its restoration have received great attention in many countries. To determine the suitable seasons for eelgrass transplanting in Korea, transplantation experiments were conducted in the summer, fall, winter of 2008 and spring of 2009 in Jindong Bay on the south coast of Korea. The survival of transplants and the physiology, morphology and growth of both transplants and control plants were investigated monthly for about 3 months after transplantation. Results indicated that the shoot density of transplants increased in the fall, winter and spring transplantations, but decreased greatly in the summer. Chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in the initial period after transplantation in summer and winter, but increased significantly in fall. Shoot height was significantly reduced in the four seasons during the initial period, but in fall, it increased to a comparable level to that of control plants. Leaf biomass per shoot was significantly reduced in summer, winter and spring, but not in fall. Rhizome diameter was reduced in summer and winter, but increased in fall. Rhizome biomass was also reduced in summer and winter, but increased in fall. Leaf production was significantly reduced in the four seasons during the initial period after transplantation, but became comparable to those of control plants in fall and winter. Below-ground biomass per shoot was significantly reduced in summer and winter, but not in fall and spring. The results indicated that eelgrass reproduction, physiology, morphology and growth were significantly influenced by water temperature. As far as the survival and growth of transplants are concerned, the suitable seasons for eelgrass transplantation in Korea are fall, winter and spring (in order of priority).
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