Seagrass populations worldwide are declining due to human and climate-related stressors, posing risks to their crucial ecological roles. Seagrass restoration is commonly used to address this decline, but a lack of understanding of seasonal stress variations has limited restoration efforts to the spring season. This study examines the feasibility of winter transplantation as an opportunity to extend the restoration period. The physiological stress response in shoots of 505 Zostera marina individuals were measured before and after a late winter transplantation in Ria Formosa lagoon, Faro, Portugal. Antioxidants, oxidative stress, soluble and reserve carbohydrates, and photosynthetic pigments were measured, providing a diverse understanding of how physiological mechanisms respond to environmental stress. Our findings displayed no negative differences in stress management between the transplanted and control individuals. After one month of winter exposure, transplants displayed high survival and stress tolerance, suggesting long-term viability. Initially a preliminary study, this research will continue throughout the year to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of transplanting Zostera marina during all seasons. The information derived from this study, along with future research has the potential to guide seagrass restoration projects worldwide in determining the ideal time to conduct their transplantations for optimum output and success.
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