Hybrid Seagrass Capable of Photosynthesis in Darkness and Restoring Ecosystems

Scientists have created a unique hybrid seagrass that can photosynthesize even in dark conditions. This discovery could significantly change the ways we restore marine ecosystems and protect coastlines.

This is reported by AgroReview

Discovery of Hybrid Seagrass and Its Advantages

Recent scientific studies have shown that hybrid seagrass demonstrates significant potential for restoring coastal areas, as it can survive in low light conditions. Seagrasses, particularly Zostera marina, play a key role in supporting marine ecosystems: they effectively sequester carbon, purify water, and mitigate coastal erosion. However, traditional approaches to their restoration often do not yield the desired results—success is recorded in only 40-50% of cases. The main issue is the “biological unfitness of Z. marina to prolonged periods of darkness.”

Genetic Features and Prospects for Application

Researchers from the Salk Institute and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography discovered a hybrid species in Mission Bay formed by the crossbreeding of Zostera marina and Zostera pacifica. The latter species, which inhabits deeper areas, is adapted to life under conditions of constant light deficiency. The hybrid plant has acquired a unique genetic mechanism from Z. pacifica that controls circadian rhythms—a sort of internal clock that determines the plant’s response to changes in light.

“This hybrid could represent a new direction in restoration, indicating where and how to plant, and which genes are critical for survival in turbid waters,” said Dr. Todd Michael, the lead author of the study.

Hybrid plants often exhibit increased resilience to negative environmental factors and can serve as a bridge between different species. Scientists confirmed that the identified hybrid is the first generation of crossbreeding between Z. marina and Z. pacifica, and it retains viability in conditions where Z. marina does not survive.

To implement this innovative strategy, collaboration with ecologists is necessary to assess the impact of the new species on the ecosystem. Hybrid seagrass could become not only a new biological entity but also an effective tool for ensuring the sustainable development of oceanic and coastal ecosystems.