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Homepage > Living Laboratory Cape Cod > What We Do At BCWC > Eelgrass: Where Did it All Go?

Eelgrass: Where Did it All Go?

November 26, 2020 In What We Do At BCWC

Decades ago, Cape Cod’s coastal ecosystems looked very different than they do today. The decline in eelgrass, an aquatic plant, gained very little attention and unfortunately the lack of eelgrass today has had a major impact on this aquatic region. Why is eelgrass important? It’s luscious green body provides homes for shellfish and juvenile fish species that are important for the harvesting and fishing industry. Biologically, eelgrass is considered an indicator species because of its sensitivity to nitrogen levels in the water. The poorer the water quality, the fewer amounts of eelgrass, the smaller the population of shellfish and fish for harvesting and fishing. Besides the negative impact from high nitrogen levels in the water, there are other adversities that eelgrass endeavors like disease, strong storms, and physical impacts like propeller damage, shellfishing, and dredging. While it feels funny to say that we need to protect underwater grass, by thinking outside of the box and being mindful of our environmental actions, humans and eelgrass and live harmoniously on the cape.

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