The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) confirmed that the Cymodocea nodosa meadows in the Mar Menor retain a remarkable recovery capacity, even after the ecological collapse recorded in 2016.
The advances of the GRASSREC project demonstrate that the surviving plants not only bloom but also produce viable seeds, opening the door to new restoration strategies and offering hope for the recovery of this unique lagoon in Europe.
Pilot Trials and Initial Results
Trials conducted with seed and adult plant transplants have shown that the species is capable of recolonizing territory. However, its expansion is limited by the high biomass of the invasive algae Caulerpa prolifera, favored by the nutrients accumulated in the lagoon.
The scientific team has analyzed the abundance and viability of the seeds, identifying donor areas and developing techniques to break dormancy and preserve them for long periods. These advances will allow planning large-scale restorations, adapted to different times of the year and the most favorable environments.
Innovations in Ecological Restoration
Among the most promising strategies are:
- Biodegradable planting units made of natural pulp paper, allowing direct sowing from boats.
- Experimental mesocosms in the Mar Menor, facilitating rapid, extensive, and low-cost interventions.
- Pilot transplants of adult plants in deep areas, in collaboration with the BELICH project.
- New monitoring stations, which will evaluate the adaptation of plant material after winter.
These pilot experiences have helped identify the best origins of plant material and the development phases with the greatest potential for success.
The Impact of Glyphosate and Other Contaminants
The scientific team has also evaluated the impact of glyphosate, detected in 2023, on seedlings, germinated seeds, and juvenile plants. The goal is to determine whether this contaminant interferes with the recovery of the meadows.
Researchers warn that, although natural regeneration processes remain active even in highly altered ecosystems, accompanying them with scientific knowledge will be key for the Mar Menor to regain its ecological balance.
An Ecosystem in Transformation
The GRASSREC project, funded by the State Program for R&D&I Oriented to the Challenges of Society and developed in collaboration with IMEDEA, has allowed a deeper understanding of the current state of the surviving meadows and their potential to recolonize the areas they occupied before 2016.
The resilience of Cymodocea nodosa confirms that, despite environmental pressures, the marine meadows of the Mar Menor can become a driver of ecological recovery if accompanied by appropriate management policies and sustained scientific interventions.
The advances of the GRASSREC project demonstrate that the Cymodocea nodosa meadows of the Mar Menor possess an extraordinary regeneration capacity, even after an ecological collapse. The combination of innovative restoration techniques, constant monitoring, and the evaluation of contaminants such as glyphosate are fundamental steps to ensure the recovery of this unique ecosystem.
The challenge now is to consolidate these strategies and expand their application, so that the Mar Menor can regain its balance and become an example of ecological resilience and sustainable environmental management.
