Eelgrass is a Marine Foundation Species

Habitat

A Foundation Species is a base for a healthy marine community. In the South Shore Estuary eelgrass provides for a biodiverse marine ecosystem and profoundly contributes to our shallow coastal waters.

Fish Nursery

Here is a partial list of species who use eelgrass as a nursery (thanks to the NYS Seagrass Task Force): American Eel, Atlantic Menhaden, Atlantic Seahorse, Atlantic Tomcod, Bay Anchovy, Bay Scallop, Blackfish, Blue Crab, Bluefish, Cunner, Grass Shrimps, Green Crab, Hard Clam, Hermit Crab, Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle, Knobbed Whelk, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Mummichog, Northern Pipefish, Northern Puffer, Oyster Toadfish, Pollock, Rainwater Killifish, Sand Shrimp, Spider Crab, Stickleback Spine, Black Winter Flounder, Green Sea Turtle

Erosion Protection

Eelgrass meadows reduce wave and tide energy, stabilizing the shallow water environment. The root systems of established meadows prevent erosion and trap sediment and organic matter to build the marine environment.

Carbon Sequestration

Protecting seagrass is the coastal equivalent of reforestation initiatives.

coastal seagrass beds store ~83,000 mt/km2

terrestrial forest store ~30,000 mt/km2 [7]

U.S. National Science Foundation. (May 12, 2012). Seagrasses Can Store as Much Carbon as Forests. Retrieved June 13, 2024.

ESRI NYSDEC Statewide Seagrass Map