Nearshore Habitat Eelgrass MonitoringEelgrass and other seagrass species are used as an indicator of estuary health throughout the world because they respond to many natural and human caused environmental factors and they play a key role in the nearshore system. Changes in the abundance or distribution of this resource are likely to reflect changes in environmental conditions. They are also likely to affect many other species that depend on eelgrass habitat.
The Nearshore Habitat Program has monitored eelgrass (Zostera marina ) abundance and distribution throughout Greater Puget Sound since 2000 through the Submerged Vegetation Monitoring Project (SVMP). This web page provides information on the monitoring project's methods and results, along with general information on the distribution of eelgrass in Puget Sound and its ecological functions.
Special Eelgrass Monitoring Projects
Summary Information on Eelgrass Monitoring
Annual Monitoring Reports and Other Information about Project Methods
Aquatic Resources DivisionNearshore Habitat ProgramWashington State Department of Natural Resources360-902-1100Fax 360-902-1786nearshore@dnr.wa.gov
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