Researchers combine to rehabilitate seagrass beds

A new three-year research program to develop methods for cultivating the seagrass Posidonia australis for small-scale rehabilitation has recently been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust.

Posidonia australis (also called strapweed) is susceptible to many human impacts, is slow growing and has limited natural recruitment.

Research will focus on ways of propagating and enhancing growth and survival rates of Posidonia, with the ultimate aim of growing the seagrass in small sandbags which can be deployed into estuaries and help rehabilitate damaged seagrass beds.

This is a collaborative project between the Aquatic Ecosystems Unit (Dr Tim Glasby) and Horticulture (primarily Dr Ross Worrall).

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