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 Eelgrass: Its Habits and Habitats By Anthony R. Wilbur As shown on the left, the anatomy of an eelgrass (Zostera marina) plant includes leaves, rhizomes (runners that connect one plant to the next), and roots. Eelgrass, a flowering plant with all life cycles occurring underwater, grows in intertidal and subtidal zones and tolerates wide ranges in salinity and temperature. A variety of seafloor sediments, current and tidal regimes, and shoreline types support eelgrass growth. For instance, eelgrass can grow in high-energy environments among cobble substrates by anchoring its roots in finer sediments deposited between the cobbles. Eelgrass is, however, predominantly found in calm, marine embayments and soft sediments (mud and sand). Light penetration through the water column dictates the depth of eelgrass growth (i.e., clearer water supports deeper growth), and there are areas in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bay where eelgrass was observed growing as deep as 40 feet. Eelgrass forms one of the most—if not the most—valuable, shallow marine habitats in Massachusetts coastal waters. Individual plants, clusters of eelgrass, and extensive meadows are found throughout state waters and support creatures ranging in size from microscopic bacteria and larval crabs to foraging bluefish and diving ducks. It is widely accepted that animals require habitat, but plants also need specific habitat conditions to survive. Decreasing water quality, sediment contamination, and seafloor disturbance are altering environmental features necessary for eelgrass growth and survival, with potentially significant consequences. The loss of eelgrass habitat transforms embayments from complex, flourishing landscapes to homogenous seafloor habitats that do not provide equivalent ecological services. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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