Mar 05, 2015

Eelgrass Update

Blog

Eelgrass beds are important in bays and estuaries throughout the world. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) stabilizes sediment, filters toxins, and takes up nutrients, heavy metals, and CO2. Healthy eelgrass is an indicator of good water quality.

 

This eelgrass bed grows parallel to the sandspit in the northern part of Morro Bay. Morro Rock stands tall in the background.
This eelgrass bed grows parallel to the sandspit in the northern part of Morro Bay. Morro Rock stands tall in the background.

Eelgrass also provides habitat for and food for the estuary’s animals such as the California sea hare, sea slugs, Brandt geese, various types of fish, and many other species.

A muddy California sea hare entangled in a mat of red macroalgae.
A muddy California sea hare entangled in a mat of red macroalgae.

A vibrantly colored predatory sea slug. This sea slug follows slime trails to track both its prey and mates.
A vibrantly colored predatory sea slug. This sea slug follows slime trails to track both its prey and mates.

Living sand dollars are common along the edges of eelgrass beds in Morro Bay.
Living sand dollars are common along the edges of eelgrass beds in Morro Bay.

Eelgrass is sensitive to changes in the environment—both natural ones, and those caused by people—and almost 97% of the eelgrass in Morro Bay has been lost since 2007. Migratory waterfowl populations, fisheries, and other species dependent on eelgrass have suffered from the eelgrass decline in Morro Bay. The low distribution of eelgrass also has implications for altered bay circulation and sediment distribution, resulting in poorer water quality. Through routine monitoring we will gain the knowledge we need to help us understand what we can do to help Mother Nature recover eelgrass beds in Morro Bay.

Watershed Stewards Project (WSP) members are checking out an eelgrass bed by the sandspit. WSP members are key in helping us with our monitoring. For more info on the Watershed Stewards Project.
Watershed Stewards Project (WSP) members are checking out an eelgrass bed by the sandspit. WSP members are key in helping us with our monitoring. For more info on the Watershed Stewards Project, click here.

During our monitoring each month, we look at eelgrass beds to see how well they’re doing. We look at overall eelgrass bed health, biodiversity, and general ecology within and around each bed.

During monthly assessments, we take detailed photos, notes, and measurements at each eelgrass bed. This photo shows round dark lesions on otherwise healthy green blades of eelgrass, representing the presence of wasting disease. Eelgrass wasting disease is caused by a pathogen that is found throughout eelgrass beds in Morro Bay. These beds continue to survive despite the presence of the disease. We will continue to learn more about the behavior of eelgrass wasting disease with each monitoring session.
During monthly assessments, we take detailed photos, notes, and measurements at each eelgrass bed. This photo shows round dark lesions on otherwise healthy green blades of eelgrass, representing the presence of wasting disease. Eelgrass wasting disease is caused by a pathogen that is found throughout eelgrass beds in Morro Bay. These beds continue to survive despite the presence of the disease. We will continue to learn more about the behavior of eelgrass wasting disease with each monitoring session.

As we learn more about what’s causing the eelgrass in Morro Bay to decline so rapidly, we will be able to identify restoration techniques that will be the most successful for our area. This spring and summer, we will examine each area where eelgrass was previously planted to determine how successful our transplant efforts have been. We are also coming up with a restoration plan that includes seed bags and a small-scale transplant effort.

Here you can see the roots of eelgrass. Eelgrass expands both by seed dispersal and via these horizontal stems, or rhizomes, which grow below the surface of the sediment.
Here you can see the roots of eelgrass. Eelgrass expands both by seed dispersal and via these horizontal stems, or rhizomes, which grow below the surface of the sediment.

We are working with state and federal agencies, academic researchers, local experts, and community members to help understand Morro Bay’s eelgrass, the cause of the dramatic decline, and how we can work with nature to achieve eelgrass recovery. It’s a big job, but with your help we are ready to take on this challenge. Stay tuned to find out what you can do for Morro Bay’s eelgrass beds!