Around 40 experts from research, administration, and practice accepted the invitation from Rewilding Oder Delta e.V. in cooperation with Kiel Marine Science at Kiel University (CAU) to develop recommendations for the reintroduction of seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea in a two-day workshop. In addition to exciting expert input, the focus was on exchange, cooperation, and shared experiences—a strong symbol for restoration in research and practice.
Seagrass meadows: Treasure troves of the Baltic Sea
Seagrass meadows are among the most important and most threatened marine habitats in the Baltic Sea. They provide shelter for countless animal species, serve as spawning grounds, store large amounts of carbon, stabilize coastlines, and improve water quality. However, their numbers are dwindling—mainly due to nutrient inputs and poor environmental conditions.
To counteract this development, cooperation is needed between scientists, authorities, land users, and environmental protection organizations.
Expert workshop with vision and depth
At the invitation of Rewilding Oder Delta e.V. and in cooperation with Kiel Marine Science at Kiel University (CAU), almost 40 representatives from research institutions, administrations, and other stakeholders came together in Kiel. The aim was to share knowledge and jointly develop recommendations on how to restore seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea. Several years of experience and findings from renowned research projects such as SeaStore played a particularly important role in facilitating dialogue and mutual learning.
The first day of the workshop focused on keynote speeches, discussions, and group work. The topics covered included current research, ecological and socio-economic aspects, and specific challenges in implementation – from environmental conditions and approval procedures to the involvement of local stakeholders.
Learning through experience: Excursion to the “donor meadow”
On the second day, we headed out to the water: During an excursion to the Kiel Fjord, employees of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel provided practical insights into the environmental education project “Snorkeling.City.” Participants were able to explore a seagrass meadow while snorkeling and collect flower buds themselves—an exciting and bonding highlight that impressively brought theory and practice together.
Working together for resilient habitats
“Restoring seagrass meadows is not only ecologically valuable—it also creates real prospects for the future,” emphasizes Ulrich Stöcker, managing director of Rewilding Oder Delta e.V. “When we bring local stakeholders and experts together, sustainable solutions emerge that benefit the climate, nature, and society.”
Restoring marine ecosystems and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea offers many benefits for people and nature. Seagrass meadows are not only a hotspot of biodiversity, but also an important carbon sink that prevents CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. They thus contribute to climate protection. Seagrass meadows slow down wave action and can mitigate storm surges, thereby reducing coastal erosion.
Facts and recommendations for action
As part of the workshop, Rewilding Oder Delta e.V. created a factsheet on seagrass meadows, their restoration, and their benefits and is available for download.
The results of the workshop will be incorporated into the development of concrete recommendations for action for the restoration of marine ecosystems and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea. These recommendations relate not only to seagrass meadows, but also to salt marshes, stone reefs, and sand habitats, and provide decision-makers, practitioners, and interested parties with a basis for successful planning and initial steps toward implementing restoration measures.
Background to the project
The interactive workshop on seagrass meadows is part of a project funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and is the last of a total of four workshops on important ecosystems in and around the German Baltic Sea (salt marshes, stone reefs, sand habitats, and seagrass beds).
Rewilding Oder Delta e.V. has been working across borders in Germany and Poland for years to restore functioning ecosystems—in forests, wetlands, rivers, the sea, and along the coast. The association combines scientifically based nature conservation with participatory approaches and nature-friendly economic practices—for a vibrant, resilient Baltic Sea region.
Text: Ulrike Frenzel, Katrin Wollny-Goerke, Laura Meinecke, Katrin Quiring
Redaktion: Ulrike Frenzel