Changes in Eelgrass (<i>Zostera marina</i>) in the Little Narragansett Bay Estuary Between 2019 and 2022
Abstrak
Eelgrass (<i>Zostera marina</i>) is a native perennial marine angiosperm found in shallow bays and estuaries. Eelgrass beds are considered essential fish habitats and provide an important food source for marine organisms and waterfowl. This study examines changes in extent of the eelgrass beds in the southern portion of the Little Narragansett Bay Estuary, Rhode Island/Connecticut, USA, between 2019 and 2022. The primary dataset used to delineate eelgrass beds was side-scan sonar coupled with underwater video imagery. Previous studies showed a decline in the extent of eelgrass here between 2012 and 2016. Our results show an increase in eelgrass coverage from 0.52 km<sup>2</sup> in 2019 to 0.75 km<sup>2</sup> in 2022. This increase in the extent of eelgrass occurred against the trends of declining eelgrass coverage both globally and regionally.
Topik & Kata Kunci
Penulis (7)
Bryan A. Oakley
Emily Watling
Nina Musco
Michael Bradley
Alan Desbonnet
Peter V. August
Daniel T. Cole
Akses Cepat
- Tahun Terbit
- 2025
- Sumber Database
- DOAJ
- DOI
- 10.3390/coasts5030035
- Akses
- Open Access ✓