Researchers from the University of Hong Kong's Swire Institute of Marine Science are planting native seagrass to restore marine biodiversity off Lamma Island [1, 2].

The project focuses on reversing the damage caused by decades of coastal development. By transforming a bare mudflat back into a thriving ecosystem, the initiative aims to provide critical habitats for green turtles and other marine species [1, 2].

Working alongside local residents of Sok Kwu Wan, the team is utilizing the native species Halophila ovalis [1, 2]. This specific seagrass is being used for afforestation to revive the seabed, a process intended to improve the overall ecological health of Hong Kong's coastal waters [1, 2].

The restoration site is located off the coast of Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island [1, 2]. The area had previously been reduced to a mudflat, leaving the region devoid of the complex plant life necessary to support diverse aquatic populations [1, 2].

This collaborative effort combines academic expertise with community action to ensure the long-term viability of the seedlings [1, 2]. The project represents a targeted attempt to rebuild the local food web and protect endangered species that rely on these underwater meadows for survival [1, 2].

“The project focuses on reversing the damage caused by decades of coastal development.”

This project highlights a shift toward active ecological restoration rather than passive conservation. By specifically targeting a former mudflat with Halophila ovalis, researchers are attempting to jumpstart a biological succession process that would otherwise take decades to occur naturally, potentially creating a blueprint for other degraded coastal areas in the region.