Grasses 101
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Transcript of Grasses 101
Grasses 101
What are Underwater Grasses?Rooted, flowering
vascular plantsGrow completely
submerged in shallow water of Bay and tributaries
A.K.A.: SAV, seaweed, seagrasses
Factors Affecting Underwater Grass Growth
Ecological Functions of Underwater Grasses
Decomposition of underwater grasses form the base of the detrital food chain in the Bay.
Importance of Underwater Grasses to Crabs
Juvenile Crab Density
1
30
0
510
15
20
2530
35
areas withunderwater
grasses
areas withoutunderwater
grasses
crab
s pe
r sq.
met
er
Submergered Aquatic EducationBefore 1900’s
more than 600,000 acres
By 1984 only 38,000 acres remained
Too many :SedimentsNutrients
Decline of Underwater GrassesThermal StressTropical Storm Agnes
Degraded Water Quality
Wet SpringInvasives
9/12/2011
Bay-wide Underwater Grass Area
Restoration StrategiesAccomplished by:
• Improving Water Quality (reducing
sediment and nutrient inputs/TMDL/LID)
• Protecting Existing Beds (dredging issues, mute swans, water quality)
• Restoring grass beds (suitable water quality)
What can you do?EducateAdvocateSchoolyard
Habitat/LID
What should students know?Identification?One of the Bay’s 4
Natural FiltersRole within the
ecosystemEcological ValueThreatsPersonal ConnectionAs a context for
teaching…