Restoration Objective:
Researchers aimed to generate seaweed forests (particularly Sargassum) using drifting thalli and seedling production techniques, which have been developed through artificial reef construction and seaweed aquaculture.
Site Selection Criteria:
A net was set to collect drift Sargassum in a bay with drift seaweed present. 7,000 m2 of artificial reef was deployed in the same area on a sandy seabed the following year.
Cause Of Decline:
Seaweed forests have important roles in primary production and providing nursery grounds. Recently, seaweed forests have been decreasing along the coasts of Japan. On barren grounds formed after deforestation, supply of seaweed propagules is often limited due to the long distance from existing seaweed beds in the surrounding area. The dispersal ability of Sargassum embryos is rather limited compared to that of kelp, further limiting the potential for natural regeneration.
Key Reasons For Decline:
Multiple
Scientific Paper
Techniques for the restoration of Sargassum beds on barren grounds
Bull Fish Res Agen, Vol. 32.
http://www.fra.affrc.go.jp/bulletin/bull/bull32/69-73.pdf
