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Grasses 101

Grasses 101. What are Underwater Grasses?. Rooted, flowering vascular plants Grow 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.

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Grasses 101

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  1. Grasses 101

  2. What are Underwater Grasses? • Rooted, flowering vascular plants • Grow completely submerged in shallow water of Bay and tributaries • A.K.A.: SAV, seaweed, seagrasses

  3. Factors Affecting Underwater Grass Growth

  4. Ecological Functions of Underwater Grasses Decomposition of underwater grasses form the base of the detrital food chain in the Bay.

  5. Importance of Underwater Grasses to Crabs

  6. Submergered Aquatic Education • Before 1900’s more than 600,000 acres • By 1984 only 38,000 acres remained • Too many : • Sediments • Nutrients

  7. Decline of Underwater Grasses • Thermal Stress • Tropical Storm Agnes • Degraded Water Quality • Wet Spring • Invasives

  8. 9/12/2011

  9. Bay-wide Underwater Grass Area

  10. Restoration Strategies • Accomplished 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)

  11. What can you do? • Educate • Advocate • Schoolyard Habitat/LID

  12. What should students know? • Identification? • One of the Bay’s 4 Natural Filters • Role within the ecosystem • Ecological Value • Threats • Personal Connection • As a context for teaching…

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