Nearshore Habitat Eelgrass Stressor-Response Program
Eelgrass is an important habitat in Puget Sound that responds quickly to changes in the environment. The Eelgrass Stressor-Response Program (ES-RP) investiga
tes factors that cause eelgrass (Zostera marina) declines in greater Puget Sound. The program also researches ways to improve eelgrass restoration in order to achieve Puget Sound recovery goals. Understanding stressors that affect eelgrass is critical to improving restoration success and to developing effective management actions. The ES-RP complements the Nearshore Habitat Program’s annual eelgrass monitoring by focusing on sites with long-term loss.
![Eelgrass](/https/www.dnr.wa.gov/pictures/aqr/aqr_nrsh_stressor_response_285.jpg)
The program has focused on assessing stressors in shallow embayments in the San Juan Archipelago and more recently, transplanting eelgrass throughout Puget Sound. This site provides research results and summarizes future research plans.
Program Reports and Information
Program reports are listed chronologically beginning with most recent. Please contact Jeff Gaeckle if you have any problems downloading these files.
- Extent and magnitude of nutrient and contaminant concentrations in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in Puget Sound
- Effects of outfalls and effluent on eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) - Literature Review
- Evaluation of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Condition and Environmental Parameters around an Outfall, Orcas Island, WA
- Spatial evaluation of the proximity of outfalls and eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in greater Puget Sound
- Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration in Puget Sound: development and testing of tools for optimizing site selection
- Puget Sound eelgrass (Zostera marina) recovery strategy
- 2007-2008 Eelgrass Stressor-Response Project Report. Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) transplant growth and survival along a tidal gradient in Westcott Bay
- Underwater Light Availability in Westcott Bay
- 2005-2007 Eelgrass Stressor-Response Biennial Report
- Nearshore Dissolved Oxygen Presentation — (Presented at 2007 Georgia Basin Puget Sound Research Conference in collaboration with Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve).
- Summary of Z. marina Monitoring Results in Hood Canal
- Summary of Z. marina Monitoring Results in San Juan Archipelago