A rapid and simple method for transplanting eelgrass using single, unanchored shoots

In a large-scale eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration program that bega n in 1996 in Chesapeake Bay, a simple transplant technique was developed wh ere single, unanchored shoots with rhizomes were planted by hand into the s ediment at an angle to a depth of between 25 and 50 mm, allowing the more c ompact area of the sediment above the rhizome to assist in anchoring the pl ant. This method led to high success, as determined primarily by percent co ver and shoot density at four transplant sites in two river systems, where 53 760 shoots were planted into 768 2 x 2 m(2) plots. The estimated total t ime to plant a single shoot using this method, including collection and sor ting of shoots for planting, was approximate to 21 s. Survivorship in the f irst month was high (73%) and compares favorably with methodologies from ot her published studies. Percent cover increased rapidly from 12.3% to 18.0% over the first eight months to 24.2-38.9% after 20 months. Vegetative growt h from a single shoot was rapid, with shoot densities similar to those of n earby, natural beds attained in one year or less (e.g., transplanted areas at eight months: 772 +/- 203 to 1234 +/- 419 shoots m(-2); natural areas: 6 97 +/- 256 shoots m(-2)). Despite the simplicity of this technique, it is f airly robust and complements the recent development of another simple techn ique (Davis and Short, 1997 Aquat. Bet. 59, 1-15) with applications for oth er seagrass species. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.