Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41358505›Full record

ArticleEcological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America2025

Optimizing seagrass planting arrangements for animal benefits in a multihabitat restoration seascape.

Michael Sievers, Christopher J Brown, Jasmine A Rasmussen, Benjamin Nielsen, Rune C Steinfurth, Mogens R Flindt, Timi L Banke, Ben L Gilby, Rod M Connolly

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Optimizing seagrass planting arrangements for animal benefits in a multihabitat restoration seascape.Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Michael SieversCoastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7162-1830
Christopher J BrownCoastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Jasmine A RasmussenCoastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Benjamin NielsenDepartment of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
Rune C SteinfurthDepartment of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
Mogens R FlindtDepartment of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
Timi L BankeDepartment of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
Ben L GilbySchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8642-9411
Rod M ConnollyCoastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Funding

Australian Research Council FT210100792Australian Research Council (ARC) DE220100079Velux Foundation 25098
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Restoring lost and degraded ecosystems to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services is a global priority, and animal responses to the restoration of habitats are a critical but undervalued component. Identifying the key drivers of animal colonization in restored habitats provides critical insights for restoration practitioners seeking to maximize ecological outcomes. When integrated into predictive frameworks and spatial decision-support tools, this knowledge becomes valuable for strategic planning, particularly in complex multihabitat restoration projects where spatial configuration remains a crucial yet understudied dimension influencing ecosystem recovery trajectories. We collect and analyze animal data from one of the world's largest multihabitat coastal restoration systems in Denmark, comprising restored seagrass (Zostera marina), boulder reefs, and mussel reefs. Using fine-scale spatial patterns in population abundances, we develop spatially explicit predictions across the seascape for various seagrass restoration scenarios and produce a series of optimizations. We consequently demonstrate that it is practical to configure restoration to optimize biodiversity objectives, including those linked with fished species. Species-specific responses translated to variable outcomes across restoration scenarios and optimizations. While the optimal number and arrangement of restored patches varied depending on the target species or species group (e.g., fisheries species or seagrass specialists), one near-ubiquitous arrangement was patchy seagrass planting. This aligns with current practice in the region, maximizes restoration efficiency and highlights the importance of not homogenizing seascapes for biodiversity. Our approach provides a practical framework for incorporating animal monitoring data into restoration planning, helping practitioners design and optimize spatial planting configurations to achieve specific ecological objectives.

Indexed as

BivalviaConservation of Natural ResourcesCoral ReefsEcosystemEnvironmental Restoration and RemediationZosteraceaeAnimalsBiodiversityDenmarkOceans and Seasdecision‐support toolecosystem recoveryeelgrassfisheriesspatial planningtransplanting

Identifiers

PMID41358505
PMCPMC12683697

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.