Ex-ante monitoring into the lagoons has been performed, in Italy no aquatic angiosperms were present in the four selected lagoons whereas macroalgae in the same lagoons showed a significant biomass, Ecological quality status based on the M-AMBI index had huge variation. In Greece the ex-ante monitoring showed that Mazoma lagoon is a suitable donor site for the sod transplantation methodology and secondly it was possible to identify five primary areas for habitat restoration activities in Logarou. The areas are primarily located in regions with a good level of seawater exchange and relatively low levels of nutrients in an attempt to encourage the successful transplantation of seagrass sods.
Despite limitation due to the pandemic training of the future trainers was performed in July 2021, and training of the local operators in Autumn 2021 in Greece and Italy.
First transplant started in december 2021 in Italy and in one lagoon in Greece, on march 2022 the transplant started in Spain.
How We’re Making Progress
The project’s planning stages are finished. The heart of the project involves carefully transplanting seagrass “sods” (chunks of seagrass with roots and sediment) to create new underwater meadows:
Italy: Work is progressing well and are still on course. Barbamarco lagoon: 44% of planned transplants completed. Caleri lagoon: 60% completed. Goro lagoon: 76% completed. Fattibello lagoon: 40% completed (new areas being tested due to challenging conditions)
Spain: Mar Menor lagoon has exceeded expectations with almost double the planned number of transplants
Greece: Amvrakikos lagoon is about 50% complete
Success Stories
Early signs of success are appearing! Seagrass is taking root and growing in several lagoons, particularly in Caleri (Italy), Mar Menor (Spain), and Logarou (Greece). However, some locations like Barbamarco, Fattibello, and Goro are proving more challenging, so the team is testing new transplant areas.
Scientific Monitoring
All six monitoring programs have started to track the project’s impact on: – Water quality; – Marine life populations; – Economic benefits to local communities; – Overall ecosystem health
Knowledge Sharing
The project team has been busy sharing their expertise: – Technical guides and educational materials are being distributed; – Training programs for local operators and fishermen are ongoing; – All planned reports and deliverables have been completed on schedule. Check our download page.
Looking Ahead
The project continues through 2025, with transplantation work ongoing in all locations. The team expects to see more established seagrass meadows develop over the next 3-4 years, ultimately creating self-sustaining underwater ecosystems that will benefit marine life, water quality, and local communities for generations to come.
Why This Matters
Coastal lagoons are among Europe’s most productive ecosystems, supporting fishing, tourism, and biodiversity. By restoring these underwater meadows, the LIFE Transfer project is helping to: – Improve water quality; – Support fish populations; – Strengthen local economies; – Combat climate change through carbon storage; – Create a replicable model for restoration across Europe.
This project represents hope for Europe’s coastal environments, showing that with scientific knowledge, community involvement, and international cooperation, we can reverse environmental damage and restore these vital ecosystems.