The researchers at Kristineberg's marine research station outside Lysekil have designed square meter nets of potato peelings. They have since been placed on eel meadows and in tidal areas, including near the research station. The nets helped against the influence of currents, waves and tides and gave the newly planted eelgrass plants a chance to take root.

- They multiplied, grew longer and survived better compared to without nets. The sand moves a lot due to the waves. The idea here is that the structure counteracts the movement, says Eduardo Infantes.

The idea is that the nets will be used in areas with a lot of currents and waves and then counteract erosion of the coast, by the eelgrass slowing down the movement of the water. Because potato peels are broken down by nature, the nets disappear by themselves after a few years.

Eelgrass is also important for reasons other than slowing down waves, including as a nursery for many fish species. In many parts of the world, eelgrass is depleted by human activities and climate change. Restoring eelgrass beds is becoming increasingly important for creating long-term sustainable environments.

The new study is published in the research journal Nature Communications. In addition to the experiments on Sweden's west coast, the researchers have also placed nets in the Caribbean, in the Netherlands and in Florida.

- I think the results are promising and interesting. There are areas in Sweden that are very difficult to recreate due to this movement in the sand, says Eduardo Infantes.

The next step is to test the method in Skåne, where coastal erosion is a problem.

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