Eelgrass restoration in the Dutch Wadden Sea; results 2013

Before ca. 1930, Eelgrass (Zostera marina) was widespread throughout the whole of the Wadden Sea. Infrastructural works, disease, eutrophication and other factors have contributed to its demise. In the Dutch Wadden Sea Eelgrass has virtually disappeared. Within the European Water Framework Directive targets are set to increase its occurrence. This report is an update with the latest monitoring data, collected in late summer 2013. At all three locations the Eelgrass population has increased substantially. Also two new locations have been identified with a substantial amount of eelgrass plants. These likely originate from the Uithuizen deployment location. This confirms the hypothesis that there is indeed suitable habitat for this species in the Wadden Sea. Whether this restoration effort is large enough for long-term reintroductioncannot yet be concluded.