Abstract

Restoration processes, through transplanting operations, represent a reliable approach to enhance the recovery of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea. The environmental issue, regarding the need of this study is to summarize some kinds of Soil Bioengeneering, commonly used in terrestrial landscape, also in marine environments. Amongst the main techniques, it has been realized, on October 2006, an experimental test regarding the transplantation of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile shoots on the marine depths of Elba’s Island (Italy). These kinds of coatings, are formed by vegetated wire mesh mattresses with sand filling. The first results of this trial show the positive outcomes of the experiments but, at the same time, the slowness of recovery actions, suggesting the potential to extend such methodologies, typical of terrestrial defense, to marine environment.

Keywords:Posidonia oceanica; Soil Bioengineering; Mattresses; Elba’s Island