Can we plant seagrass as part of restoration? A proposal, using small plots, volunteers, and feedback loops

Since 2009, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has lost over half its seagrass due to phytoplankton blooms. The loss was especially high in the north-central IRL and Banana River lagoon—nearly 100% in some segments. Over 190 km² of seagrass was lost. One question is what might natural recovery look like? Can we emulate that process to jump-start restoration? Planting that much area is not feasible. The goal is to develop restoration procedures with positive feedback loops—both ecological and cultural. Ecologically, feedback means getting many patches established that subsequently provide a source for new recruits. This initial jump-start is especially important in segments that lost virtually all their seagrass. Culturally, feedback entails involving and training volunteers to plant small patches of seagrass in many places. A few successes promote more participation and thus more success. Recovery will take time, persistence, and some luck. Reducing risk is the key factor. Proposals are made about how to reduce the risk of failure in planting seagrass—over both space and time.