SERESTO Project
LIFE PROJECT12 NAT/IT/000331
Habitat 1150* (Coastal lagoon) recovery by SEagrass RESTOration.
A new strategic approach to meet HD & WFD objectives
SERESTO project
The project aims to trigger a process of aquatic angiosperm recolonization in SIC IT3250031 “Northern Lagoon of Venice”, mainly through the transplantation of Zostera marina and Nanozostera noltii.
Objectives
Project objectives are:
- Consolidating and restoring aquatic habitat 1150* via the transplantation of submerged aquatic angiosperms;
- Contributing to the achievement of good ecological status in transitional water bodies, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed measures in terms of meeting the objectives set by the Water Framework Directive (Dir. 2000/60/EC);
- Quantifying the ecosystem services provided by the lagoon environment and the aquatic angiosperms of habitat 1150* in particular.
Project strategy and technique
The proposed intervention technique involves the transplanting of a small number of plants in 35 sites (nine 30cm-diameter-sods in each site), with advantages in terms of lower costs, impact on the donor sites and application to large-scale. In support of the natural expansion of seagrass meadows in the surrounding areas, direct intervention to help the seeds take root and to facilitate the growth of new rhizomes produced by the transplanted specimens is also planned for the entire duration of the project.
Partner
Prof. Adriano Sfriso from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is the project coordinator. Project partners are the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), the Venice Water Authority and the association Laguna Venexiana ONLUS.
ISPRA is involved in all project actions and it is responsable of action D.2 Ecological quality and biodiversity monitoring and D.3 Monitorring and assessment of ecosystem services provide by restored seagrasses medows. The monitoring of biodiversity and ecological status (sensu WFD 2000/60/EC) will verify the benefits produced by seagrass restoration on the other Biological Quality Elements (macrozoobenthos, macroalage and fish fauna) and in terms of habitat 1150* conservation.