The underwater meadows off the coast of Tenerife, once dense and vibrant, have suffered greatly over recent decades. According to local observations, the Canary Islands have lost up to 60 percent of these ecosystems, which serve as refuge for many marine species, produce oxygen, and stabilize sandy seabed sediments.
Now scientists and activists of the project "Jardineros del mar" ("Sea Gardeners") are trying to restore what was lost. They grow seeds of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in laboratory conditions and then transplant them to the seabed. This approach avoids damaging donor sites and increases the chances of survival for young plants.
Seagrass meadows are not just clusters of algae. They form complex communities where fish, mollusks, and turtles find food and shelter. Moreover, these "underwater lungs" help stabilize the coastline and participate in the carbon cycle. The loss of even part of such meadows affects the entire coastal ecosystem.
Unlike traditional methods of transplanting whole sods, using laboratory-grown seeds offers more flexibility. The plants adapt to new conditions gradually, and monitoring shows the first signs of growth. The project is still in its early stages, but it already demonstrates that science can support natural restoration processes.
It is important to understand that success depends not only on planting. Human pressure must be reduced, from anchorages to pollution. Without comprehensive measures, even the most successful experiments risk remaining local.
The story of Tenerife shows how the combination of laboratory technologies and field work can bring back fragments of lost nature. Such initiatives help us see that restoration is possible if we act consistently and with consideration for the specific ecosystem.
Such projects remind us that targeted human assistance can support nature in restoring the balance of marine ecosystems.
