The following Future Ready® trends are being specifically addressed by this project:
- Ecosystem threats: the decline of eelgrass populations has impacted marine wildlife by reducing nurseries (juvenile habitats).
- Extreme weather: the increased frequency of storms and heavy rain has accelerated the rate of coastal erosion.
- Coastal erosion: as sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more common, coastal erosion in southern Sweden is expected to increase.
- Carbon storage: efforts to reduce overall carbon emissions must be combined with initiatives to boost carbon capture (restoring eelgrass meadows increases carbon storage).
Initial planting has been successfully carried out. Based on observed results, eelgrass meadows will then be planted on a larger scale. In time, this will lead to development of a viable eelgrass population while also relying on natural ecosystem services to provide long-lasting protection against coastal erosion.
