Out of their depth: The successful use of cultured subtidal mussels for intertidal restoration

Ecosystem restoration has proliferated across the globe to combat widespread ecosystem decline. Translocations of viable individuals into degraded habitats form a core component efforts, but selection source populations poses challenges because phenotypic differences between and depleted result in low post-translocation survival. Intertidal mussel is typically reliant on subtidal despite their weaker shells, lighter weights, poorer respiratory abilities compared intertidal mussels. using mussels recorded very survival, leading suggestions that are unfit for zone, effectively eliminating possibility translocation-based restoration. In this study, small-scale was tested cultured transplanted paired plots, half lower upper subtidal. The results demonstrate first scientific evidence successful reefs at scale. Specifically, one location high survival after 12 months (95.1 ± 0.6%; mean SE), comparable zone (97.6 0.3%). other two locations experienced mortality during Austral summer (final survival: 81.3 1.6% 56.6 7.4%), which directly correlated with exposure extreme temperatures (>40°C). These reveal differences, potential sources However, care should also be taken avoid prone temperatures, particularly light warming global environment. Ultimately, achieve massive upscaling called by UN Decade Restoration, we encourage managers think broadly about populations, rejections based solely explore every avenue success.