Eelgrass
Eelgrass
This document will discuss the aquatic plant eelgrass. It will describe its role in the ecosystem including its usefulness to humans. It will also describe how human impact is causing it to suffer, and will conclude with various ways of solving these problems.
Eelgrass (zostera) is a very important plant in the Pacific ocean. It helps sustain many life forms and protects growing organisms through the change of tides (Tyler-Walters, H. 2007) These thin blades of grass are vital to have a complete ecosystem in Puget Sound. Right now they are being damaged by pollution, anchors, and the rising seas from global warming. There are so many animals that depend on eelgrass for food and shelter, if they aren’t able to receive the protection eelgrass gives, many populations of species will become endangered or even become extinct (Peasrson). Eelgrass not only provides protection but it also gives oxygen as well in a form of dissolved oxygen. There are two types of eelgrass that can be found. One is freshwater and the other is, of course, salt water. Eelgrass has also helped a lot of the people around this area as well, including native americans. Although it might seem like it, eelgrass is not seaweed. It is a form of underwater grass which has roots (DNR). Seaweed attaches itself to rocks. Like most plants, eelgrass does grow more in the summer and spring since there is more sun. These 3 foot blades also act as a wall for erosion that might occur in the water from cliff deposits on land (Tyler-Walters, H). The grass is most commonly found in estuaries, which is the point where a river meets the ocean creating a mix of fresh and saltwater. This creates a very diverse and sustainable habitat when it isn’t polluted or disturbed. There are a lot of things being done to protect eelgrass as well.
What is eelgrass? First of all eelgrass is a type of grass that grows underwater. It grows it’s roots into mud or sand and grows in thin 3 foot blades (Tyler-Walters).
This document will discuss the aquatic plant eelgrass. It will describe its role in the ecosystem including its usefulness to humans. It will also describe how human impact is causing it to suffer, and will conclude with various ways of solving these problems.
Eelgrass (zostera) is a very important plant in the Pacific ocean. It helps sustain many life forms and protects growing organisms through the change of tides (Tyler-Walters, H. 2007) These thin blades of grass are vital to have a complete ecosystem in Puget Sound. Right now they are being damaged by pollution, anchors, and the rising seas from global warming. There are so many animals that depend on eelgrass for food and shelter, if they aren’t able to receive the protection eelgrass gives, many populations of species will become endangered or even become extinct (Peasrson). Eelgrass not only provides protection but it also gives oxygen as well in a form of dissolved oxygen. There are two types of eelgrass that can be found. One is freshwater and the other is, of course, salt water. Eelgrass has also helped a lot of the people around this area as well, including native americans. Although it might seem like it, eelgrass is not seaweed. It is a form of underwater grass which has roots (DNR). Seaweed attaches itself to rocks. Like most plants, eelgrass does grow more in the summer and spring since there is more sun. These 3 foot blades also act as a wall for erosion that might occur in the water from cliff deposits on land (Tyler-Walters, H). The grass is most commonly found in estuaries, which is the point where a river meets the ocean creating a mix of fresh and saltwater. This creates a very diverse and sustainable habitat when it isn’t polluted or disturbed. There are a lot of things being done to protect eelgrass as well.
What is eelgrass? First of all eelgrass is a type of grass that grows underwater. It grows it’s roots into mud or sand and grows in thin 3 foot blades (Tyler-Walters).