Metabolic response of Zostera noltei transplants in a historically contaminated ecosystem

In the midst of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and newly approved EU Nature Restoration Law, ecosystem restoration efforts have gained momentum. Still, monitoring tools and early warning protocols to evaluate restoration success are necessary. This study aimed to assess the suitability of using biochemical response parameters to evaluate Z. noltei tolerance to transplantation and various abiotic conditions (including metal(loid) concentrations) across different tissues and seasons, following restoration. The results indicate that the proposed monitoring strategy successfully highlighted the adaptation and acclimation phase of transplanted plants, as well as the tolerance to the conditions at the Transplant site by activating mechanisms to mitigate or reduce oxidative stress. The findings validate the use of biochemical response parameters as a measure of transplant success and early warning signal for plant maladjustment in the scope of ecosystem restoration actions in historically contaminated areas.