Shanghai Ocean University - Gouqi Island

Restoration Project

Shanghai Ocean University - Gouqi Island

Restoration Objective:

The main aim of this study was to show that mussels could be used as intermediaries for Sargassum spp. zygote settlement on their surfaces and to determine the strength and speed of mussel adhesion to substratum to prove mussels’ use for fast attachment of seedlings in the open sea.

Site Selection Criteria:

The place where surface waves have relatively less influence on it, where the slope is less than 30°, depth is about 35 m, and there are sediments with lithofacies.

Cause Of Decline:

The ecosystems of Chinese coastal seaweed beds have been affected by habitat changes in recent years. Global warming, marine disasters, and frequent human activities have exacerbated the decline in coastal seaweed resources, including coastal topography, sediment thickness, eutrophication, and pollutants.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Multiple

Scientific Paper

The use of living mussels as a substratum for growing seedlings of two sargassum species from the perspective of coastal seaweed bed restoration in the East China Sea

Li, X., Wang, K., Feng, M., Chen, J., Zhang, S., & Bi, Y. (2021).https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/6/558

Organisation:

Shanghai Ocean University

Site Observations:

Observation Date

1st Sep 2020 – 1st Nov 2020

Action Summary:

Sargassum horneri wa collected, and their zygotes were cultivated on mussel shells for approximately 4 months prior to transplantation at the restoration site, where they were monitored for 2 months.

Sargassum horneri was collected, and their zygotes were cultivated on mussel shells in an outdoor aerated pool under variable environmental conditions (25.3–28 °C water temperature and average light intensity of 3200 lux, peaking at 20,000 lux during the day) for approximately 4 months. Once the germlings were 3–5 cm long, the seaweed–mussel combinations were transferred to the restoration site.

Lessons Learned:

The study demonstrated that Sargassum horneri and Sargassum vachellianum could grow on mussel shells, supporting mussel–seaweed transplantation as a potentially eco-friendly and labour-efficient restoration approach. However, the optimal germling size and timing for transplantation remain uncertain.

Project Outcomes:

The force and rate of Mytilus coruscus and Septifer virgatus adhesion were studied, and we found that the adhesion force of Mytilus coruscus was greater than that of Septifer virgatus on mussels with the same shell length. The attachment of mussels with a 30 mm shell length was better in terms of strength and duration than that of mussels with 20 and 40 mm shell lengths. Zygotes of Sargassum horneri and Sargassum vachellianum could grow on the outer surface of mussels. After 41 days of cultivation in a pond, the mean density of Sargassum horneri germlings was reduced by 50.59%, the mean length increased to 5.554 ± 0.724 mm, and the daily growth rate was 0.154 mm/d. After 31 days of cultivation, the mean density of Sargassum vachellianum decreased by 21.21%, the mean length increased to 5.510 ± 0.763 mm, and the daily growth rate was about 0.191 mm/d. The growth effect of Sargassum vachellianum germlings was better than that of Sargassum horneri.

Indicator Data:

Indicator:

Ending Value:

Starting Value:

Percent Survival

7.6000
%
100.0000
%
Transplant Info:
Life Stage:Juveniles
Source:Culture

Observation Date

1st Sep 2020 – 1st Nov 2020

Action Summary:

Sargassum vachellianum was collected, and their zygotes were cultivated on mussel shells for approximately 4 months prior to transplantation at the restoration site, where they were monitored for 2 months.

Sargassum vachellianum was collected, and their zygotes were cultivated on mussel shells in an outdoor aerated pool under variable environmental conditions (25.3–28 °C water temperature and average light intensity of 3200 lux, peaking at 20,000 lux during the day) for approximately 4 months. Once the germlings were 3–5 cm long, the seaweed–mussel combinations were transferred to the restoration site.

Lessons Learned:

The study demonstrated that Sargassum horneri and Sargassum vachellianum could grow on mussel shells, supporting mussel–seaweed transplantation as a potentially eco-friendly and labour-efficient restoration approach. However, the optimal germling size and timing for transplantation remain uncertain.

Project Outcomes:

The force and rate of Mytilus coruscus and Septifer virgatus adhesion were studied, and we found that the adhesion force of Mytilus coruscus was greater than that of Septifer virgatus on mussels with the same shell length. The attachment of mussels with a 30 mm shell length was better in terms of strength and duration than that of mussels with 20 and 40 mm shell lengths. Zygotes of Sargassum horneri and Sargassum vachellianum could grow on the outer surface of mussels. After 41 days of cultivation in a pond, the mean density of Sargassum horneri germlings was reduced by 50.59%, the mean length increased to 5.554 ± 0.724 mm, and the daily growth rate was 0.154 mm/d. After 31 days of cultivation, the mean density of Sargassum vachellianum decreased by 21.21%, the mean length increased to 5.510 ± 0.763 mm, and the daily growth rate was about 0.191 mm/d. The growth effect of Sargassum vachellianum germlings was better than that of Sargassum horneri.

Indicator Data:

Indicator:

Ending Value:

Starting Value:

Percent Survival

25.9000
%
100.0000
%
Transplant Info:
Life Stage:Juveniles
Source:Culture
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