Benthic fauna dynamics following large‐scale seagrass restoration in an exposed environment

Seagrass meadows are vital habitats, modifying hydrodynamic energy flows and sustaining biodiversity in the benthic environment. As such, there is a growing interest in using seagrass as a nature‐based solution for coastal adaptation. However, planting seagrass in hydrodynamically exposed environments is challenging, and the trajectories and timescales of biodiversity recovery are not well studied in such environments. In this case study, we present early‐stage findings from a large‐scale eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) restoration project in Southern Sweden, with a focus on recovery dynamics of the benthic fauna. We observed variable eelgrass establishing rates, ranging from 0 to 200% depending on the timing of restoration, mainly in relation to storm events. In plots with high eelgrass survival, benthic fauna reached taxonomic and functional diversity comparable to adjacent reference plots in natural eelgrass within 4 months. These findings show that single‐shoot eelgrass transplantation without any anchoring technique can be feasible in hydrodynamically exposed areas, but timing is key for success. The rapid effects on benthic fauna diversity indicate how ecological integrity can be restored within a growing season. These observations corroborate the importance of seagrass for benthic diversity and are useful for coastal managers considering eelgrass restoration in exposed environments.