Inorganic Nutrient Supplements Constrain Restoration Potential of Seedlings of the Seagrass, Posidonia australis

摘要: Seed represents a potentially ecologically sustainable source of planting units for restoring seagrasses, particularly seagrasses where transplanting negatively impacts donor beds. However, newly germinated seeds may be nutrient limited as their underdeveloped root systems constrain capacity to access sediment-based resources. We conducted study in land-based aquaculture tanks determine whether early growth Posidonia australis seedlings could enhanced by adding inorganic nutrients the sediment. Sediments were supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorus factorial design (no nutrients, N, P, N + P). Shoot survival, whole shoot biomass, morphology, architecture, concentration assessed monthly first 4 months after germination. More than 90% survived during experiment, irrespective treatment. Growth P. was not addition N or P sediment despite uptake occurring. Seedling found more dependent on seed reserves rather external sources at least Adding also significantly reduced development seedling system terms length, density lateral branches. This demonstrated that supplements therefore successful anchorage seagrass seedlings, pose significant limitation establishment when transferred field, well limiting natural transplanted eutrophic sediments.