Addressing reproductive stochasticity and grazing impacts in the restoration of a canopy?forming brown alga by implementing mitigation solutions

The worldwide decline of marine forests, due to human impacts and climate change, emphasizes the need develop implement effective sustainable solutions restore these endangered habitats re-establish services they provide. In this study, ex situ restoration Gongolaria barbata (=Treptacantha barbata), a Mediterranean subtidal habitat-forming species brown seaweed, was for first time implemented in protected area Adriatic Sea. Two efforts were performed 2019. started winter, after heatwave that triggered early fertility, second spring, when usually reproduces. This study aimed evaluate: (i) disruptive effects thermal anomaly on reproductive biology performance culture G. barbata; (ii) impact grazing pressure juveniles outplanting. cultivation more productive than second, terms zygote release germling growth. To mitigate low efficiency avoid prolonged highly demanding maintenance mesocosms, period extended outdoors using structure suspended water column. modular frames conceived outplanting proved be because their easy operability cost. Controlling herbivorous fish had significant positive both juvenile survival outcomes highlighted an unpredictable climatic event major threats impaired process barbata. These stressors should considered developing plans large-scale canopy-forming macroalgae.