Hydroponic versus rooted growth of Zostera marina L. (Eelgrass)

Seagrass fragments and seeds are important dispersal mechanisms by which individuals can be transported to new habitats. While dispersal distances of these free-floating stages have been recently investigated in some detail, almost nothing is known about how long fragments or seedlings may remain viable in the water-column. This study reports on the results of an experiment in which both mature and seedling life-history stages of the temperate seagrass, Zostera marina L. were successfully maintained hydroponically over a 1-month-period. It is suggested that a potential application of this hydroponic growth approach could be seedling culture for restoration activities.