SMAST Seminar - DEOS - March 4, 2026 - "Seagrass Ecosystems -- Challenges and Opportunities for Recovery and Restoration" by: Mirta Teichberg

Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Seminar Announcement

Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences

"Seagrass Ecosystems -- Challenges and Opportunities for Recovery and Restoration"

Mirta Teichberg,

Associate Scientist, Marine Biological Laboratory

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

12:30 - 1:30 pm

SMAST E 101-103 and via Zoom

Abstract:

Declines in seagrass ecosystems due to various local and global stressors such as nutrient loads, coastal development, and climate change create challenges for conservation efforts worldwide, including locally in Massachusetts. While mitigating local threats can prevent future habitat loss, challenges exist for recovery and restoration of seagrass ecosystems. Restoration practices may also lead to overharvesting of donor seagrass populations. These challenges have driven interest in using seeds-based restoration methods. For using seeds, knowledge of reproductive timing and effort is essential, as well as a better understanding of germination and seedling development. In Cape Cod, we have identified reproductive timing for flowering and seed collection and have been testing biotechnological approaches to develop in vitro cultures of seagrasses starting from seeds and propagating new plantlets to ease stress on local populations. The first step of our study focuses on developing methods for increasing germination rates in vitro and then growing out seedlings in a nursery prior to transplantation into the coastal environment. This methodology holds promise for long-term propagation and resilience of Z. marina plants offering potential future applications for enhancing seagrass conservation and restoration efforts.

Join Meeting

https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270

Note: Meeting ID and passcode required. Email contact to obtain

For additional information, please contact Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

SMAST East 101-103 : 836 S. Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford MA 02744
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270