Eelgrass, Zostera marina, is a marine aquatic plant found in marine estuary and shallow ocean environments around the globe. Eelgrass plays an essential role in the marine ecosystem, as it is not only important in the nutrient cycle, but also plays a part in providing food and shelter for fish and marine invertebrates. Eelgrass is essential to the health of the marine habitat as well as the commercial interests of our local and global economy. To quote Juliet Simpson from MIT Sea Grant : “ Eelgrass is a critical (sic) for the overall quality of coastal habitats all along the eastern coast of the US.” Not only does eelgrass play a part in the nursery for many fish and shellfish, it is a key player in reducing wave energy and beach erosion. Finally, eelgrass meadows are important in the sequestration of CO2 and can sequester a large amount of carbon. “It’s estimated that one acre of eelgrass sequesters over 7,000 pounds of carbon per year, “( Suzanne Olyarnik)
In the 1930's a blight devastated the eelgrass meadows of North America and the rest of the world. This wasting disease and man made pollutants account for a loss of over 30% of the world's eelgrass meadows. “Sea grass beds have declined by 29% since the 19th century, with an upsurge in decline in recent decades. Rates of loss for coastal wetlands are estimated at 1–2% per year.”(E. Pidgeon).
In the 1930's a blight devastated the eelgrass meadows of North America and the rest of the world. This wasting disease and man made pollutants account for a loss of over 30% of the world's eelgrass meadows. “Sea grass beds have declined by 29% since the 19th century, with an upsurge in decline in recent decades. Rates of loss for coastal wetlands are estimated at 1–2% per year.”(E. Pidgeon).
The threat to eelgrass has never been more of an issue. Pollution, invasive species, demolition of habitat, and other environmental issues have decimated the eelgrass population. Federal law mandates that a waterfront owner is responsible for mitigating the loss of eelgrass when changes are made. Currently, the cost of the Federal mitigation process can range between $100,000 to $300,000 dollars per acre.
Eelgrass is a key part of the marine estuary and tidal zone. It acts as the nursery for thousands of animals and other species, many of which are important to the marine fisheries economy. Not only is eelgrass an important biome for other species, it is important in erosion control, water clarity and carbon sequestration. Eelgrass even has its own economic value: it can be processed into high quality paper. The loss of eelgrass means more erosion, cloudier water, more carbon in the atmosphere and in very simple terms, a raise in prices for seafood.
Eelgrass is a key part of the marine estuary and tidal zone. It acts as the nursery for thousands of animals and other species, many of which are important to the marine fisheries economy. Not only is eelgrass an important biome for other species, it is important in erosion control, water clarity and carbon sequestration. Eelgrass even has its own economic value: it can be processed into high quality paper. The loss of eelgrass means more erosion, cloudier water, more carbon in the atmosphere and in very simple terms, a raise in prices for seafood.
What is a Rhizome?
A rhizome is a part of a plant that is underground and acts like an underground stem. Off the a rhizome will grow the actual roots of the plant, and since it is like an normal stem but just underground, it can be broken into different pieces and replanted, thus making it easier to make more than one plant. The rhizome will grow to its original size again, and the plant will be nice and healthy.
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