Marine and coastal restoration is progressing at speed across the UK and Scotland. While much media attention and funding focus is on the practitioner-based, hands-on work, behind every meaningful practical act of restoration there is something less visible, but equally as important: science.
The West of Scotland now has cutting edge aquarium research facilities for the study of seagrass growth. SAMS is working to establish improved expertise in restoration resilience knowledge of fragile habitats. Using scientific methodologies and tools it will improve the aquarium and husbandry skills through robust experimental laboratory activities to trial growth of Z. marina from seed to seedling. It will contribute to wider knowledge and understanding of restoration and underpin successful restoration projects. The first experiment will likely be an optimisation of growth. This will allow better understanding of the factors affecting survival and success of seagrass seedlings.
In 2025 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £61,630 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.