**Aquatic Angiosperm Transplantation: A Tool for Environmental Management and Restoring in Transitional Water Systems**

**Adriano Sfriso 1,\*, Alessandro Buosi 1, Yari Tomio 1, Abdul-Salam Juhmani 1, Chiara Facca 1, Andrea Augusto Sfriso 1, Piero Franzoi 1, Luca Scapin 1, Andrea Bonometto 2, Emanuele Ponis 2, Federico Rampazzo 2, Daniela Berto 2, Claudia Gion 2, Federica Oselladore 2, Federica Cacciatore 2 and Rossella Boscolo Brusà 2**


Received: 16 July 2019; Accepted: 9 October 2019; Published: 14 October 2019

**Abstract:** Since the 1960s, the Venice Lagoon has su ffered a sharp aquatic plant constriction due to eutrophication, pollution, and clam fishing. Those anthropogenic impacts began to decline during the 2010s, and since then the ecological status of the lagoon has improved, but in many choked areas no plant recolonization has been recorded due to the lack of seeds. The project funded by the European Union (LIFE12 NAT/IT/000331-SeResto) allowed to recolonize one of these areas, which is situated in the northern lagoon, by widespread transplantation of small sods and individual rhizomes. In-field activities were supported by fishermen, hunters, and sport associations; the interested surface measured approximately 36.6 km2. In the 35 stations of the chosen area, 24,261 rhizomes were transplanted during the first year, accounting for 693 rhizomes per station. About 37% of them took root in 31 stations forming several patches that joined together to form extensive meadows. Plant rooting was successful where the waters were clear and the trophic status low. But, near the outflows of freshwater rich in nutrients and suspended particulate matter, the action failed. Results demonstrate the e ffectiveness of small, widespread interventions and the importance of engaging the population in the recovery of the environment, which makes the action economically cheap and replicable in other similar environments.

**Keywords:** aquatic angiosperms; transitional waters; environmental restoration; ecological status; Venice Lagoon
