Reciprocal experimental transplantations to assess effects of organic enrichment on the recolonization of benthic macrofauna in a subtropical estuary

► Benthic composition and dominance are affected by sediment quality in subtropical tidal flats. ► Sediment quality does not determine recolonization processes at the scale of weeks or centimeters. ► Recolonization is defined by properties of destination areas both in transplanted or translocated sediments. ► Recolonization rates are fast and heavily dependent on the migration of adults.