El Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (IMEDEA) conducts fundamental research to advance seagrass restoration by investigating new methodologies and collaborating with European partners and local partners to scale up.
Current scientific efforts focus on:
- Overcoming limiting factors: mitigating the impact of fish herbivory
- Optimizing sod transplants: defining minimum viable sizes for C. nodosa
- Microbiome research: exploring its role in enhancing restoration outcomes
- Nursery innovation: developing efficient germination and cultivation protocols for C. nodosa.
Our shared vision
The Seagrass Consortium benefits enormously from the scientific expertise of the Tomas Nash Lab at Imedea (UIB-CSIC).
The lab are pioneering seagrass restoration science at two locations within the Balearic Islands.
Badia de Pollença (39°53’21.1″N 3°07’17.2″E)
Badia de Portocolom (39°25’09.8″N 3°15’54.2″E)
The core team includes Prof Fiona Tomas Nash, Dr Gema Hernán, Dr Beatriz Marin-Diaz and Xesca Reynes.
Long-term vision
Milestones we’ve achieved since 2023.
2
Test stations
- 100 seedlings have been planted as part of a seagrass microbiome study
- A futher 252 Cymodocea nodosa seedlings have been planted as part of a “Seagrass Hug” experiment.
- 168 Cymodocea nodosa sods have been transplanted.
Badia de Portocolom
Imedea support MedGardens with Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica restoration in Portocolom Bay, Formentor and Sant Elm.
Badia de Pollença
Imedea support Arrels Marines with Cymodocea nodosa retoration trials in Badia de Pollença
Notes from the field.
This section features a carefully selected array of images capturing the ‘day-to-day’ actions from the field, and from the lab, as we progress our seagrass restoration science.
Local Partners and Initiatives
Our seagrass restoration science relies on a close collaboration with a number of local partners and initiatives including…
MedGardens
MedGardens is an initiative by the Cleanwave Foundation that, since 2020, has been working to restore the underwater forests and seagrass meadows of the Mediterranean’s shallow bays.
Arrels Marines
Arrels Marines is a local non-profit organisation founded in Pollença in 2020. It is composed of a multidisciplinary group of individuals deeply rooted in the local community and united by a shared passion: the love for the Balearic Sea.
Restoration Overview
Discover the detailed restoration phases, providing insight into site-specific actions and progress monitoring led by the Seagrass Consortium.
Phase One: Site Assessment
Initial evaluation of site conditions and ecological factors critical for planning effective seagrass restoration efforts.
Phase Two: Restoration Implementation
Execution of restoration activities including planting, habitat enhancement, and continuous site management.
Phase Three: Monitoring & Reporting
Ongoing monitoring to assess seagrass recovery, ensuring the restoration goals are met and informing future improvements.