Restoration of Marine Sponges-What Can We Learn from over a Century of Experimental Cultivation?

Marine sponges are the driver of many critical biological processes throughout various ecosystems. But anthropogenic and environmental pressures are rapidly compromising the diversity and abundance of Porifera worldwide. In our study, we reviewed the main experiences made on their cultivation to provide a roadmap of the best methodologies that could be applied to restore coastal sponge populations. We synthesized the results of experimental trials between 1950 and today to facilitate information on promising methods and materials. We detected a strong geographical imbalance between different ecoregions, as well as a shift of scientific effort from the investigation of bath sponge mariculture towards the rearing of bioactive compounds from sponges. Although sponge cultivation is arguably highly species-dependent, we further found that skeletal consistency in combination with taxonomy may be used to decide on appropriate techniques for future restoration initiatives.

Automated summary

Marine sponges play important roles in various ecosystems, but their diversity and abundance are being compromised by human and environmental pressures worldwide. Researchers reviewed experiences in sponge cultivation and provided a roadmap for restoring coastal sponge populations. They found that sponge cultivation is highly species-dependent and suggested using skeletal consistency and taxonomy to determine appropriate restoration techniques.