Ecological outcomes of seagrass restoration in the Bohai Sea: Five-year shifts in sediment carbon, microbial diversity, and macrobenthic communities underscore the need for long-term monitoring

Abstract

Seagrass meadow restoration is essential for bolstering ecosystem functions, including biodiversity and carbon sequestration. This study evaluates the ecological impacts of a five-year seagrass restoration effort in the Bohai Sea, with a focus on sediment organic carbon (SOC) storage, microbial diversity, and macrobenthic communities. Using sediment analysis, microbial DNA sequencing, and macrobenthic assessments, we explored how restoration influenced these key parameters. While no statistically significant increases in SOC were observed, trends suggest a gradual rise in carbon accumulation in restored areas. Microbial diversity in the restored site more closely resembled that of natural seagrass meadows, and macrobenthic species number and Margalef richness showed improvement compared to those in bare sediments. These findings indicate that although immediate, significant shifts may be subtle, seagrass restoration contributes to incremental gains in carbon storage and biodiversity. The study underscores the importance of long-term monitoring to fully capture the delayed ecological benefits of restoration efforts.