Distribution of sexually reproductive eelgrass (Zostera marina) seeds in microhabitats of eelgrass beds in intertidal zones

Abstract

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) seedling establishment based on the sexually reproductive seed bank depends on habitat factors, and there are different microhabitats in eelgrass beds. Seedling abundance varies with microhabitat. Why is the distribution pattern of seedlings so? Is there an edge effect of eelgrass patches on seedling distribution? To clarify the distribution and variation patterns of ungerminated seeds, germinated seeds and seedlings in microhabitats, field investigations were conducted from December 2020 to April 2021. The density of the total seed bank varied with microhabitat except in March. In April, the density of germinated seed banks in the highland, low-lying area edge and low-lying area was 0.00 ± 0.00, 0.33 ± .33 and 7.44 ± 0.96 seeds.cm−3, respectively, and the density in the low-lying area was higher than that in the other microhabitats. The order of density of the seedling bank was highland < low-lying area edge < low-lying area in April. The relative proportion of germinated seeds in the low-lying area was higher than that in the highland from March to April, during which the increase rate in the seedling bank of the highland was lower than that of other microhabitats. The distribution pattern of eelgrass seeds varies with microhabitat. The change characteristics of germinated seeds or seedling banks are related to microhabitats. There are edge effects of eelgrass patches on the distribution of germinated seeds and seedlings. All these factors contribute to the formation of seedling distribution. Sowing eelgrass seeds in the edge area of a continuously distributed eelgrass bed can promote the seedling establishment rate.