This $255,423 National Science Foundation project grant under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) will support research to incorporate secondary foundation species into coastal restoration efforts conducted by Duke University from May 2023 through April 2026. The research aims to test approaches that restore secondary foundation species to increase growth of primary foundation species, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions like climate resistance at restored sites. Key products include experimental tests of enhancing previously restored oyster reefs, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows sites with complementary or similar secondary foundation species at low and high abundances. The researchers will also co-restore primary foundation species with secondary foundation species to test their ability to increase growth, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions in newly restored systems. Surveying of previously restored and reference sites will quantify relationships between secondary foundation species abundance/complementarity and changes in primary species, biodiversity, and functions. Results will inform conservation organization restoration strategies through training materials.