Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are among the most valuable and vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. They provide critical ecosystem services, including long-term carbon sequestration, coastal protection, nursery habitat for marine biodiversity, and water quality regulation. Despite their protected status, many Posidonia meadows have suffered severe degradation over past decades, particularly due to mechanical damage from recreational boating and anchoring.
Calvi Bay, located on the north-west coast of Corsica, hosts historically important Posidonia meadows that have been fragmented and partially destroyed by repeated anchoring pressure. While protective measures have been progressively implemented, natural recovery in heavily damaged areas remains extremely slow, justifying the need for targeted, science-based active restoration.
The objective of this project is to restore 10,000 m² of degraded Posidonia oceanica meadow in Calvi Bay through large-scale transplantation, supported by robust scientific monitoring. The project aims to:
- Re-establish functional seagrass habitat in previously degraded areas
- Accelerate natural recovery processes and meadow expansion
- Enhance local biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
- Generate long-term scientific data on restoration effectiveness in Mediterranean conditions
The STARESO Marine Research Station, an independent marine research facility with decades of experience in Mediterranean coastal ecology and seagrass research, will lead the restoration.
The Posidonia oceanica shoots will be transplanted in 1 m² clusters, following protocols developed and validated through several years of experimental restoration and peer-reviewed scientific research. This clustered approach is designed to improve shoot survival, stabilize sediments, and stimulate natural meadow regeneration.
Transplantation sites have been carefully selected based on the historical presence of Posidonia, substrate suitability, and reduced current disturbance. Restoration activities will be complemented by long-term ecological monitoring, including shoot survival, meadow expansion, and associated biodiversity indicators.
This project builds directly on multi-year monitoring and experimental trials conducted by STARESO and its research partners. Previous studies have demonstrated both the feasibility and ecological benefits of active Posidonia restoration when applied under appropriate environmental and management conditions. Relevant scientific publications underpinning the methodology are available and can be shared as supporting documentation.
By restoring the Posidonia meadow, different types of positive impact will be created:
- Recovery of a priority Mediterranean habitat
- Increased local carbon sequestration potential over the long term
- Improved habitat quality for fish and invertebrate communities
- Strengthened scientific knowledge to inform future large-scale seagrass restoration initiatives